|)!jiiaklj)l)ia  anb  its  jllanufacturfs : 

A    HAND-BOOK 


EXHIBITING     THB 


DEVELOPMENT,  VARIETY,  AND  STATISTICS 

OF     THE 

MANUFACTURING  INDUSTRY  OF  PHILADELPHIA 

IN      1857. 


TOGETHER     WITH 


LIST  OF  ARTICLES  NOW  MADE  IN  PHILADELPHIA. 


BY 

EDWIN   T.  FKEEDLEY, 

AUTHOR  op  A  "PRACTICAL  TREATISE  ON  BUSINESS,"  "THE  LEGAL  ADVISER,"  Era 


PHILADELPHIA: 

EDWARD  YOUNG,  333  WALNUT  STREET. 
1859. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1858,  by 
EDWIN     T.     FREEDLEY, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and 
for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


pnn.ADEi.pHi  A: 

PED    BT   OEOROR  CHART.Kfl. 
I'rtlNTKIi    BY    KI.XO   &   T1AIRD. 


THE  MERCHANTS'  EDITION.    PUBLISHER'S  CARD. 

THE  PUBLISHER  desires  to  take  advantage  of  this  opportunity, 
to  acknowledge  his  obligations  to  the  patrons  of  this  volume, 
on  the  manufactures  of  Philadelphia.  It  has  passed  through  two 
editions,  and  a  third  is  called  for.  He  would  thank  especially 
the  Press,  which,  as  stated  by  the  author,  is  ever  foremost  in 
promoting  whatever  concerns  the  interests  of  this  city.  He 
would  return  thanks  also,  to  the  manufacturers  generally,  and 
especially  to  the  following  firms  who  were  original  subscribers 
and  very  liberal  patrons  of  this  volume, 

ALFBED  JENKS  &  SON.  MAGARGE,  CHARLES  &  Co. 

ARCHER,  WARNER,  MISKEY  &  Co.  MASSEY,  COLLINS  &  Co. 

BAILEY  &  Co.  MEAD,  Jonx  0.  &  Soxs. 

BALDWIN,  M.  W.  &  Co.  MERRICK  &  Sous. 

CORNELIUS  &  BAKER.  MORRIS,  I.  P.  &  Co. 

DREER  &  SEARS,  MORRIS,  TASKER  &  Co. 

FELL,  C.  J.  &  BROTHER.  POWERS  &  WEIGHTMAN. 

HORSTMANN,   W.   H.   &  SOXS.  REANEY,   NEAFIE  &  Co. 

JONES,  WHITE  &  McCuRDY.  ROGERS,  WM.  D. 

LAXDRETH,  D.  &  SON.  SELLERS,  WILLIAM  &  Co. 

LEWIS,  JOHN  T.  &  BROTHERS.  WILSON,  GUILDS  &  Co. 

LOVERING,  J.  S.  &  Co.  WRIGHT  BROTHERS  &  Co. 
And  others. 

The  CORN  EXCHANGE  ASSOCIATION  distributed  a  number  of 
copies,  and  the  BOARD  OF  TRADE  a  larger  number,  principally  to 
editors.  But,  in  order  to  secure  a  more  extensive  circulation  of 
the  work  in  the  South  and  West,  it  was  proposed  to  raise  a  fund 
by  subscription,  to  be  applied  to  this  purpose,  and  the  edition 
so  subscribed  for  is  the  present,  designated  the  "  Merchants' 
Edition." 

Among  the  first  to  respond  to  this  proposition,  were  two  of  the 
great  manufacturing  firms  already  mentioned — MESSRS.  MERRICK 
<fe  SONS  and  WM.  SELLERS  &  Co.  and  the  well-known  firm  of 
MORRIS  &  JONES  &  Co.,  commission  merchants  in  iron,  steel,  etc. 


22  PUBLISHEtt's   CARD. 

This  firm  is  not  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  volume,  and  justice 
and  truth  alike  demand  that  it  should  be  stated,  no  house  in 
Philadelphia  is  more  zealous  in  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the 
manufacturers  of  iron,  or  evidently  solicitous  to  aid  whatever 
commends  itself  to  their  judgment  as  likely  to  benefit  their  fellow 
citizens.  The  extensive  silk  house  of  MORRIS  L.  HALLO  WELL 
&  Co.,  was  the  next  to  contribute  to  this  fund.  This  firm,  it  is 
hardly  necessary  to  say,  is  distinguished  no  less  for  their  efforts 
and  expenditures  to  benefit  the  city,  than  for  the  vastness  and 
richness  of  their  stock  in  trade,  and  the  excellence  of  their  business 
appointments,  which  exalt  the  commercial  reputation  of  Philadel- 
phia. The  old  and  well-known  house  of  SITER,  PRICE  &  Co.,  is 
entitled  to  like  praise.  ABBOTT,  JOHNES  &  Co.,  extensive  impor- 
ters of  silks,  JAMES,  KENT,  SANTEE  &  Co.,  a  first  class  dry  goods 
jobbing  house,  MYERS,  CLAGHORN  &  Co.,  well-known  auctioneers, 
TRUITT,  BROTHER  &  Co.,  leading  jobbers  in  hardware,  were  con- 
tributors, and  are  houses  that  would  do  honor  to  any  city.  JOHN 
GRIGG,  ESQ.,  ever  foremost  among  the  wealthy  men  of  the  city  in 
yielding  to  the  dictates  of  public  spirit,  was  a  liberal  contributor 
to  the  fund.  S.  J.  BESTOR,  ESQ.,  an  extensive  dealer  in  Watches 
and  Jewelry  and  a  most  enterprising  merchant,  is  also  entitled  to 
the  thanks  of  his  fellow-citizens  for  his  very  liberal  contribution 
in  their  behalf.  He  is  the  more  entitled  to  be  thus  specially 
mentioned  because  his  excellent  establishment  is  not  elsewhere 
alluded  to  in  this  volume. 


PUBLISHER'S  CARD.  23 


SUBSCRIBERS  TO  THE  MERCHANTS'  EDITION. 

Abbott,  Johnes  ft  Co Ira's  and  Jobbers  nf  Silks  and  Fancy  Goods, 339  Market  Street. 

Agard  &  Co Dealers  in  lints,  Caps,  Furs  and  Straw  Goods 323  Market  Street. 

Anspacb,  Heed  ft  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 8.  W.Sd  A  Cherry. 

Arnold,  Nusb.uim  ft  Nird- 

linjrer i Exclusively  Wholesale  Clothing _ 55  North  Third. 

Arthur,  Burnham  ft  Gilroy  Manufacturers  of  Patent  Articles N.E.lOth  &  George 

Atwood,  White  ft  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 436  Market  Street. 

Baeder,  Dclanry  ft   Adam- 
son Glue,  Sand  Pnpcr 14  South  Fourth. 

Bailey.  Joshua  L Imp.  and  Jobber  of  Am.  and  Foreign  Drygocds...213  Market  Street. 

Baird,  John Marble  Works Ridge  Avenue  ab. 

Spring  Garden. 

Barcroft  ft  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 405  Market  Street. 

Bennett  A  Co Tower  Hall  Clothing  Store 518  Market  Street. 

Bestor.  S.  J Imp.  »nd  Dealer  in  Watches  and  Jewelry 3t  South  Third. 

Biildle,  E.  C.  4  J Publishers  and  Bookseller? 508  Minor  St. 

Brown,  David  S.  ft  C'» Domestic  Drygoods  Com.  Merchants 44  South  Front. 

Billings.  Koop  ft  Washing- 
ton   Com.  Merch'ts  ft  Importers  of  Fancy  Drygoods,  24  Bank  St. 

Bnnn,  Raiguel  ft  Co Jobbers  of  Fai  cy  Drygoods 137  North  Third. 

Brown,  John  II.  ft  Co Importers  ft  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 307  Market  St. 

Browning  ft  Brothers Dye  Stuffs  and  Paints 30  North  Front. 

Burnett,  Sexton  ft   Swear- 

ingen Imp's  4  Jobbers  of  Hosiery  A  Fancy  Drygoods..409  Market  St. 

Buzby  4  Co Commis-ion  Merchants  in  Flour,  etc 931  Market  St. 

Campbell,  Jas.  R.  4  Co Jobbers  of  Drygoods 304  Market  St. 

Canby,  Neville  4  Hughes..Importeri»  of  Hosiery  and  Fancy  Drygoods,  Mrs 

of  Ven.  Blind  and  Up.  Trimmings 245  Market  St. 

Campbell,  A.  4  Co Manufacturers  of  Cotton  Goods Manaynnk. 

Carr,  G.  W.  ft  Co Whalebone  and  Rattan 124  Willow. 

Cbilds  4  Peterson Publishers 602  Arch  St. 

Cope,  Brother*. Shipping  Merchants 1  Walnut. 

CressoD,  Walter Manufacturer  of  Saws 503  Commerce. 

Crowson  4  Brother Manufs  of  Scarf*,  Comforter*,  Hoods  ft  IIo8iery..Germantown. 

Crew,  Benjamin  J.  4  Co.. ..Manufacturing  Chemists 6th  ft  Cumberland. 

Ch'ttick,  W.  G.  &  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygood* 438  Market  St. 

Carpenter,  Henzey  4  Co.. ..Drugs  and  Chemicals 737  MarketSt. 

Conover  ft  Brothers Manufs  and  Dealers  in  Bo -its  and  Shoes 521  Market  St. 

Divine  4  Tomlinson Manufs  of  Scarfs,  Comforters,  Hoods  A  Hosiery  ..Branch  town    Mill, 

near  Gcrmant'n. 

Drown,  W.  A.  &  Co Manufacturers  of  Umbrellas  and  Parasols 246  Market  St. 

Engel  &  Wolf Brewers 352  Dillwyn  St. 

Evans  A  Watson Manufacturers  of  Safes 26  South  Fourth. 

Farnham,  Kirkbam  &  Co.  Domestic  Drygoods  Com.  Merchants 220  Chestnut  St. 

Field,  Longstreth  &  Co Imp's  anil  Jobbers  of  Hardware,  Guns,  etc 440  Market  St. 

Fithian,  Jones  &  Co Imp's  and  Jobbers  of  British  and  Am.  Goods 215  Market  St. 

Freeman  &  Simpson Distillors  and  Rectifiers 109  South  Front 

Fulforth4  Lovelidge Manufacturers  of  Fancy  Woolen  Hosiery Germantown. 

Garsed,  R.  &  Bro Manufacturers  of  Dcniuis,  Bucks,  &c Frankford. 

Gerker,  H.,  Son  A  Co Glue,  Sand  Paper,  Gelatine,  etc 20  North  Fifth. 

Ghriskey,  Charles  M Hardware  Commission  Merchant 16  4  18  N.  Fifth. 


24  PUBLISHER'S  CARD. 

(fill,  ThomaH  R Foreign  and  Domestic  Dry-roods  Com.  Mar's 212  Chestnut  St. 

(linir.l  Fire  Insurnncc  Co.  lion.  Joel  Jones,  President.. 415  Walnut,  St. 

Grant,  Saml.  J.&  Co Chemicals,  Dye  Stuffs,  etc 139tSouth  Water. 

John Banker 226  Walnut  St. 

Guillou,  Kuiory  &  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of    House  Furnishing 

Drvgoods,  Curtain  Materials,  &c 327  Market  St. 

Grantees,  Norris  &  Huey... Manufacturers  of  Drygoods 20  South  Fourth. 

tirundy,  Wardin  &  Co Importers  of  Hosiery,  Gloves,  etc 229  Chestnut  St. 

Iladdock,  Reed  &  Co Manufacturers  and  Dealers  in  Boots,  Shoes  and 

Straw  Goods 440  Market  St. 

Hullowe'l,  M.  L.  4  Co Importers  &  Jobbers  of  Silks  &  Fancy  Goods 333  Market  St. 

Harper,  T.  Esmonde Manufacturer  of  Watch  Cases Walnut  &  Dock. 

Harrison,  A.  W Perfumery,  Soaps,  Ink,  Ac 26  S  Seventh. 

Harrison,  Brothers  &  Co... Manufacturers  of  Chemicals,  White  Lead,  etc.. ..47  South  Front. 

Hnndry  &  I  Urns Manufs  A  Wholesale  Dealers  in  Boots  &  Shoes. .N.  W.  3d  &  Arch. 

lleiter,  Simon Manufacturer  of  Umbrellas  and  1'arasols Market  &  Third. 

Henscl,  H.  W Manufacturer   of    Ladies',  Dress   Trimmings, 

Fringes,  &c 20  N.  Fourth. 

lloopen  &  Townsend Bolts,  Rivets,  Nuts,  etc 1330  Buttonwood. 

James,  Kent,  Sontee  &  Co.. Wholesale  Dealers  and  Importers  of  Foreign 

and  Domestic  Dry  Goods 239  N.  Third. 

Jenks  &  Ogden Importers  of  Drugs  and  Medicines,  Wholesale 

Dealers  in  Faints,  Oils  and  Spices,  Manu- 
facturers of  White  Lead,  Zinc  Paints,  etc  ...160  N.  Third. 

Johnson,  L.  &  Co. Stereotypers  and  Type  Founders 606  Sansom. 

Johnson,  T.&  J.  W.  &  Co... Publishers  and  Booksellers 535  Chestnut. 

.Inn,  s  &  Cummings Jobbers  of  Fancy  Drygoods 39  N.  Third. 

Kelley,  Edwin  A— Manufacturer  of  Shirts,  Collars,  Ac 16  Bank  St. 

Kemper,  J.  &  A Manufrs.  of  Ladies'  Dress  Trimmings,  Ac 33  S.  Fourth. 

Lane,  A.  T Wholesale  Clothing 419  Market  St. 

I/ennig,  N.  A  Co Manufacturers  of  Chemicals 112  S.  Front. 

Levy,  L.  J.  &  Co Drygoods 811  Chestnut  St. 

Lincoln,  Wood  &  Nichols. ..Bon nets  and  Straw  Goods,  etc 725  Chestnut  St. 

Llppincott,  J.  B.  &  Co Publishers,  Booksellers  and  Stationers 22  A  24  N.  Fourth. 

Little,  A.  W.  &  Co Importers  and  Wholesale  Dealers  in   Foreign 

and  Domestic  Drygoods 311  Market  St. 

Liltle  &  Stokes Com.  Merchants  and  Importers  of  Foreign  Dry- 
goods,  Agents  for  Pacific  Mills  Goods,  and 
Portsmouth  and  Uadley  Lawns 235  Chestnut  St. 

Locke,  Z.  tt  Co Alcohol  Burning  Fluid,  etc 1010  Market  St. 

Long,  James Manufacturer  of  Cotton  and  Woolen    Goods, 

Quaker  City  Mills,  2d  and  Oxford Office  408  Mcrch't. 

Lucas,  John  k  Co Manufacturers  of  Paints 130  Arch  St. 

l.udwig,  Kneedler  &  Co-.. .Imp's  and  Jobbers  in  For.  A  Domestic  Goods.  ...36  N.  Third. 

M-Callum  &  Co Carpet  Manufs  "Glen  Echo"  Mills,  Oerm'n 509  Chestnut  St. 

M'Cullongh  &  Co Manufacturers  of  Galvanized  Iron Prime  and  llth. 

Msgargc,  Charles  &  Co Manufacturers  and  Dealers  in  Paper 30  South  Sixth. 

Martin  4  Wolff Wholesale  Dealers  in  For.  A  Domestic  Drygoods..233  Market  St. 

Mason  it  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 434  Market  St. 

Mason,  James  S.  &  Co Manufrs.  of  Mason's  Challenge  Blacking  and 

Writing  Inks,  Deal's  in  fine  Havana  Scgars.,140  North  Front. 

Mead,  John  0.  4  Sons Manufacturers  of  Plated  Ware Chestnut  A  9th. 

Mell-.r.  Thos.  &  Co Ini|H.i  1. 1>  »f  Hosiery 8  North  Third. 

MtMii'k  >v  .-..u- Maehiuii-U,  K.ngine  Builders, etc South'k   Foundry. 

oth  &  Washiogn. 


PUBLISHER'S  CARD.  25 

Miles.  J.  &  Son Manufacturers  of  Boots  and  Shoes- 49  ?outh  Fourth. 

Morris  &  Jones  &  Co Ir«n  and  Steel  Merchants 16th  &  Market 

Murphy  &  Allison Car  Builders,  etc „ 1908  Market. 

Myers,  Claghorn  &  Co Auctioneers 232  Market  St. 

Newhall,  T.  A.  &  Co Sugar  Refiners 409  Rare  St. 

Peabody,  Geo.  F.  A  Co Domestic  Drygoods  Coin.  Merchants 24  South  Front. 

Pearce,  George  &  Co Manufacturers  and  Impellers  of  Embroideries 

and  Laces 241  Chestnut  St. 

Perot,  T.  Morris  &  Co Importers  of  and  Dealers  in  Drills,  Chemicals, 

Paints.  Oils,  Glass,  Dye  Stuffs,  &c 621  Market  St. 

Penna.  Central  R.R.  Co....J.  Ed^ar  Thomson,  President 240  S  Third  St. 

Phil.,  Wil  &  Bal.  R.  R.Co..S.  M.  Felton,  President Broad  &  Prime  St8. 

Phil.  Fire  A  Life  Ins.  Co....U.  P.  King.  President 433  Chestnut. 

Plate,  J.  T^&  Schottler Importers  of  Cloth,  Hosiery,  etc 237  Chestnut 

Price,  Ferris  &  Co Importers  and  Dealers  in  White  Goods,  Linens, 

and  Embroideries,  etc 525  Market  St. 

Riegel.  Baird  &  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 47  North  Third. 

Rosenparten  &  Sons ...Manufacturing  Chemists.- 17th  &  Fitzwater. 

Rosenheim,  Brooks  &  Co. ..Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Ribbons,  Millinery 

and  Straw  Goods 431  Market  St. 

Ross,  Schott  *  Co Wholesale  Dealers  in  For.  &  Dom.  Drygoods 251  Market. 

Saundcrs,  J.  &  M Manufacturers  andJJobbers  of  Boots,  Shoes  and 

Straw  Goods 34  North  Fourth. 

Scbaffcr  &  Roberts Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Hosiery  and  Fancy 

Goods. 429  Market  St. 

Sellers.  Win.  &  Co Founders  and  Machinists.^ 16th  &  Penna.  BT. 

Selsor,  Cook  &  Co Manufacturers  of  Cast  Stee!  Coffee  Mills,  Straw 

Cutters,  Wrought  Iron  Shutter  Bolts,  and 

Cast  Steel  Shovels Gennantown. 

Senat  Brothers  &Co Importers  of  White  Goods 238  Chestnut. 

Shapleigh,  Rue  &  Co Importers  of  Linens,  White  Goods,  Embroideries 

and  Laces. 329  Market  St. 

Sheble.  Lawron  &  Fisher. ..Manufacturers  of  Forks 3  N.  5th. 

Shoemaker,  Kobt.  &  Co  ....Wholesale  Druggist',  Manufacturers  of  White 
Lead,  Zinc  Paints,  Putties  and  Varnishes, 
Importers  and  Dealers  in  For.  and  Domestic 
Window  Glass™ N.  E.  4th  &  Race. 

Sibley,  Molten  &  Woodrnff.Tmp's  and  Jobbers  of  Silk  and  Fancy  Goods 326  Market  St. 

Simons,  Oeo.  W.  A  Bro Manufacturers  of  Jewelry 610  Sansom. 

Sharpless,  Brothers Importers,  Jobbers  and  Retailers  of  Staple  Dry- 
goods i N.  W.  8th  A  Chest. 

Siter,  Price*,  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 315  Market  St. 

Simons,  Coleman  &  Co Wagon  Makers,  etc 1109  N.  Front. 

Blade,  Alfred  4  Co Domestic  Drygoods  Com.  Merchants 40  South  Front 

Sleeper  A  Fenner Manufacturers  of  Umbrellas  and  Parasols 330  Market 

Simpson,  Hood Manufacturer  of  Cotton  Goods  etc Fairmount. 

Souder.  K.  A.&Co Shipping  and  Com.  Merchants 3  Deck  St. 

Steel,  William Manufacturer  of  Leather  Belting,  Dealer  in  Cot- 
ton and  Woolen  Machinery,  Dye  Wares.  Oils, 
and  Manufrs  Findings,  of  all  descriptions. ..24  North  Frunt. 

Stockton,  J   H.  A  Co Leather  Belting,  Card  Clothing,  Reeds,  Ileddlos, 

Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery,  Dye  Stuffs, 
Oils,  and  Manufacturers  Findings,  of  all 
descriptions 108.  Front. 


26  PUBLISHER'S  CARD. 

Stoddart,  J.  A Depot  of  American  Watch  Co.'s  Watches  and 

Movements,  also  Manufacturer  and  Dealer 

in  Jewelry,  Ac 34  S.  Third. 

Stuart  A  Brother Importers  of  Drygoods 13  Bank. 

Stuart  A  I'eterson Manufacturers  of  Stoves.  Hollow  Ware,  Ac Willow  :il>  13t'i. 

Struthers,  William Marble  Dealer 1022  Market  St. 

Thomas,  Joel Manufacturer  of  Kuches.  Ac 26  S.  Fifth. 

Thomas  A  Martin Domesti  •  Uryg.iods  Com.  Merchants 217  Chestnut. 

Thompson,  Lewis  A  Co Marble  and  Mahogany llth  A  Ridge  Av. 

Tredick,  Stokes  A  Co Domestic  Drygoods  Com.  Merchants 18  S.  Front  St. 

Trremner,  Henry Manufacturer  of  Scales,  Ac 710  Market  St. 

Thompson,  J.  H.  &  Co Manufacturers  antl  Jobbers  of  Boots  and  Shoes. .314  Market  St. 

Truitt,  Brother  &  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Hardware 529  Market  St. 

Vezin.  Charles  £  Co Importers  of  German  and   French  Drygoods, 

Agents  for  Qeruiantown  Hosiery 9  Bank  St. 

Wain,  Morris  S.  &  Co Shipping  an  I  Com.  Merchants 130  S.  Del.  Aven. 

Way,  J.T.  &  Co Importers  and  Jobbers  of  Drygoods 28  North  Third. 

Weaver,  Filler  &  Co Manufacturers  of  Cordage 23  North  Water. 

Welling,  Coffin  &  Co Domestic  Drypoods  Com.  Merchants 116  Chestnut. 

Wetherill  A  Brother Chemicals.  White  Lead 47  N.  2d  St. 

Whitakcr,  Wm Manufacturer  of  Tickings  an-1  Stripes Store  408  Merch't. 

Whitney,  Asa  &  Song Manufacturers  of  Car  Wheels 16th  A  Callowhill. 

Wiler  A  MOBS Manufacturers  Stair  Hods 225  S.  Fifth. 

Wilcox,  Brothers  A  Co Com.  Merchants  in  Fancy  Drygoods,  Hosiery,  Ac.ll  Bank  St. 

Wilson  &  Merritt Importers  and  Whole.-ale  Druggists,  Dealers  in 

Drug*.  Dyes,  Chemicals,  Ac  ,  Manufacturers 
of  White  Lead,  Zinc,  Colors,  Ac  ,  Agents  and 
Operators  in  For.  &  Dom.  Patent  Medicines,  208  Market  St. 

Wilson,  Childs  A  Co Wagon  M  .kers,  etc St.  John  A  Butt'd. 

WiUtacb,  Win.  P.  A  Co Importers,  Manufacturers  and  Dealers  in  Sad- 
dlery Il.irdware.  Carriage  Trimmings  and 
Harness  Mountings,  embracing  the  most 

extensive  stock  in  the  city 38  North  Third. 

Wood  &  Krringer Domeslic  Drygoods  Coin.  Merchants 117  Chestnut. 

Wood  A  Perot Manufacturers  of  Ornamental  Iron  Work 1136Bidge  AT. 

Wray,  Alex'rACo Importers  of  English  and  German  Good* 239  Chestnut. 

Wright,  Smith  &  Co Imp's  A  Job's  of  China,  Glass  and  Queensware,  &05  Market  St. 

Wurt*,  A  us  tie  A  M-Veigh... Importers  and  Wholesale  Dealers   in  Foreign 

and  Domestic  Drygoods 311  Market  St. 

Yale,  Linus  Jr.  A  Co Locks,  fafes,  &c 248  N.  Front. 

YarJ,  Gilmore  A  Co Silk  and  Fancy  Drygoods 40  A  42  N.  3d. 


PREFACE. 


THE  Title  of  this  Volume  defines  its  subject ;  and  the  subject, 
it  is  presumed,  explains  its  object.  The  Author,  however,  desires 
to  advert  briefly  to  the  circumstances  that  impelled  him  to  undergo 
the  vast  amount  of  hard,  thankless,  profitless  labor  which  the 
preparation  of  a  volume  like  this,  however  imperfectly  executed, 
necessarily  involves,  and  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  an  un- 
dertaking, which,  as  an  individual  enterprise,  unaided  by  munici- 
pal or  corporate  favor,  is,  it  is  believed,  wholly  unprecedented. 

For  many  years  it  has  been  a  source  of  mortification  to  the  ac- 
tive friends  of  Philadelphia,  that  mainly  through  the  misrepresen- 
tations of  rivals,  and  the  misapprehension  of  her  resources,  she 
has  gradually  receded  from  her  former  glorious  position  in  the 
commercial  firmament,  until  now  she  is  regarded  by  many  in  Eu- 
rope, and  in  some  portions  of  our  own  country,  as  a  mere  speck 
on  the  horizon.  Her  enemies  have  industriously  circulated,  far  and 
wide,  reports  which,  if  unexplained,  must  prove  detrimental  to  her 
interests ;  and  the  declension  of  her  foreign  commerce  has  been  to 
them  a  harp  of  a  thousand  strings.  The  friends  of  Philadelphia, 
on  the  other  hand,  either  at  home  or  abroad,  have  not  been  fur- 
nished with  facts  to  counteract  these  prejudicial  statements  ;  and 
are  themselves  scarcely  aware  what  a  beautiful  fabric  she  has 
erected, — more  important  in  every  truly  national  point  of  view  than 
Foreign  Trade, — dedicated  to  Home  Industry  and  American 
Manufactures.  The  leading  organs  of  the  enlightened  sentiment 

(17) 


18  PREFACE. 

of  the  city  have  earnestly  and  repeatedly  called  upon  the  corporate 
authorities  to  collect  and  publish  statistics  of  its  Productive  In- 
dustry ;  and  various  attempts  have  been  made  by  individuals,  and 
by  Committees  of  Commercial  Associations,  to  effect  this  object, 
but  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  its  accomplishment  seemed  insur- 
mountable. More  than  a  year  ago,  Mr.  EDWARD  YOUNG,  the 
publisher  of  this  volume,  solicited  the  writer  to  undertake  the 
preparation  of  a  work  on  the  Manufactures  of  Philadelphia, 
promising  his  assistance  in  the  collection  of  materials.  The 
Author  will  be  pardoned  a  digression  from  the  narrative  to  bear 
testimony  how  nobly  his  associate  has  redeemed  his  promise — 
how  faithfully  he  has  persevered.  Without  his  co-operation,  it  is 
probable  this  volume  would  be  far  less  complete  than  it  now  is. 
Foreseeing,  perhaps,  only  a  portion  of  the  difficulties  to  be  en- 
countered and  surmounted,  and  presuming  that  with  certainty 
he  could  readily  supply  his  own  deficiencies  by  obtaining  able  as- 
sistance— a  hope  in  which  he  has  been  grievously  disappointed — 
the  Author  acceded  to  the  request,  and  originated  a  plan  of  treat- 
ing the  subject,  an  outline  of  which  was  submitted  to  the  Board 
of  Trade,  who  honored  it  with  an  approbatory  resolution,  and 
to  the  Press  who  generally  commended  it,  and  invited  the  co- 
operation of  Manufacturers.  Other  encouraging  inducements 
were  offered.  BARTON  H.  JENKS,  Esq.,  one  of  the  "alive"  men 
oT  this  city,  volunteered  a  liberal  subscription  ;  JOHN  GRIGO, 
Esq.,  tendered  his  name  and  assurances  of  future  influence  in 
behalf  of  the  enterprise ;  JOHN  BIDDLE,  of  the  firm  of  E.  C.  &  J. 
Biddle,  and  WILLIAM  L.  REHN,  of  the  firm  of  Brooke,  Tyson  & 
Rehn — men  of  well-known  public  spirit — contributed  suggestions 
and  valuable  information  from  their  stores  of  accumulated  knowl- 
edge ;  and  under  these  circumstances,  and  with  this  encourage- 
ment, the  labor  was  commenced.  Here,  however,  the  historical 
record  mast  close.  Beyond  this  point  there  lies  a  dreary,  panic 


PREFACE.  19 

winter ;  and  a  recital  of  facts  attending  the  collection  of  ma 
terials  and  statistics  would  involve  a  revelation  of  too  many  dif 
ficulties, — interposed  in  part  by  the  widely  extended  field  over 
which  we  were  compelled  to  travel  in  search  of  desired  informa- 
tion, and  in  part  by  the  indifference  manifested  by  many  of  the 
very  persons  whose  interests  would  be  promoted  by  the  publica- 
tion,— to  be  pleasant  in  retrospection,  though  perhaps  profitable 
for  instruction  to  other  adventurous  persons. 

Passing  over  the  circumstances  which  rendered  the  task  more 
arduous  than  it  ought  to  have  been,  the  Author  desires  to  state, 
that  in  the  prosecution  of  the  undertaking  he  claims  to  have  acted 
with  strict  impartiality,  both  as  respects  persons  and  facts.  If 
injustice  has  been  done  in  any  instance  to  individuals — a  fact 
of  which  he  is  at  present  not  conscious — he  would  deeply  regret 
it;  but  the  omission  to  notice  or  mention  a  manufacturing  es- 
tablishment he  cannot  consent  to  consider  an  act  of  injustice. 
It  was  not  deemed  essential  to  the  completeness  of  the  nar- 
rative to  notice  individual  establishments  at  all ;  and  where 
such  are  introduced  it  has  been  done  parenthetically,  or  for 
the  purpose  of  illustration,  or  because  they  creditably  represent 
the  other  establishments  in  the  same  branch.  The  insertion  of 
names  has  been  avoided  as  much  as  possible,  for  they  are  perpe- 
tually changing  though  the  establishment  or  business  which 
they  represent  survive  unchanged.  A  Philadelphia  Business 
Directory,  for  a  full  list  of  names,  and  Ure>8  Dictionary  of 
Manufactures,  for  a  description  of  processes,  are  a  natural  com- 
plement of  this  volume.  In  the  selection  of  matter  for  inser- 
tion as  facts,  the  Author  has  regarded  first,  accuracy ;  sec- 
ondly, novelty  or  interest.  It  would  have  been  easy  by  less 
exactness  as  to  the  accuracy  of  matters  of  fact  to  multiply  de- 
tails, and  to  increase  the  interest  or  "spiciness"  of  the  volume; 
but  even  in  a  dearth  of  real  facts  "doubtful  facts"  have  not  been 


20  PREFACE. 

resorted  to.  But  the  circumstance  which  more  than  any  other 
caused  the  rejection  of  much  interesting  matter  was — the  want  of 
space.  It  was  the  opinion  of  those  who  are  conversant  with  the 
secret  springs  of  publishing  success,  that  a  volume  on  this  subject, 
to  be  useful,  must  not  exceed  in  size  or  price  certain  prescribed 
limits.  This  principle — which,  like  the  laws  of  the  Medes  and 
Persians,  was  unalterable — was  ever  present  to  the  Author's  eye, 
rendering  him  apprehensive  lest  by  treating  one  subject  at  too 
much  length,  he  would  be  prevented  from  giving  due  consider- 
ation to  another  equally  important.  The  theme  is  so  compre- 
hensive, that  what  may  be  deemed  essential  preoccupied  the 
entire  space  to  the  exclusion  of  novelties,  patented  improvements, 
undeveloped  manufactures,  and  thus  matters  of  great  interest 
have  unavoidably  and  of  necessity  been  omitted. 

The  Author  desires  to  render  acknowledgments  of  indebtedness 
to  all  who  in  any  way  aided  him,  and  special  acknowledgments 
to  WILLIAM  C.  KENT  of  James,  Kent,  Santee  &  Co.,  to  Dr.  J. 
L.  BISHOP,  O.  W.  KIBBIE,  THOMAS  SHRIVER,  WM.  Y.  CARVER, 
JOHN  D.  STOCKTON,  and  Dr.  JAMES  MOORE.  For  the  mechan- 
ical execution  of  the  volume  he  is  indebted  to  the  follow- 
ing persons :  GEORGE  CHARLES,  Stereotyper ;  Jos.  W.  RAYNER, 
Proof  Reader ;  CHARLES  MAGARGE  &  Co. ,  Paper-makers ;  KING 
&  BAIRD,  Printers ;  MILLER  &  BURLOCK,  Binders. 

Philadelphia,  July,  1858.  E.  T.  F. 


PHILADELPHIA  MD  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 


MANUFACTURES— CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IN. 


THE  term  Manufacture,  in  its  derivative  sense,  signifiep 
— making  by  hand.  Its  modern  acceptation,  however,  ia 
directly  the  reverse  of  its  original  meaning;  and  it  is  now 
applied  particularly  to  those  products  which  are  made 
extensively  by  machinery,  without  much  aid  from  manual 
labor.  The  word  therefore  is  an  extremely  flexible  one ; 
and  as  Political  Economists  do  not  agree  in  opinion, 
whether  millers  and  bakers  are  properly  manufacturers 
or  not,  we  shall,  if  need  be,  take  advantage  of  the  uncer- 
tainty, and  consider  as  Manufactures  what  strictly  may 
belong  to  other  classifications  of  productive  industry. 

The  end  of  every  Manufacture  is  to  increase  the  utility 
of  objects  by  modifying  their  external  form  or  changing 
their  internal  constitution.  In  some  instances,  substances 
that  would  otherwise  be  utterly  worthless,  are  converted 
into  the  most  valuable  products — as  the  hoofs  of  certain 
animals  into  Prussiate  of  Potash ;  the  offal  into  Gold- 
beater's Skin  ;  and  especially  rags  into  Paper.  Thus  benef- 
icent in  their  general  object,  it  is  scarcely  remarkable 
that  modern  Manufactures  are  principally  distinguished 
for  their  ameliorating  influence  upon  man's  social  condi- 
tion. Bv  cheapening  manufactured  products  they  put 
1  '  (21) 


22  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

within  the  reach  of  the  poorest  classes  what  in  forruer 
times  was  accessible  only  to  the  wealthy  and  noble. 
The  servant,  the  artisan,  and  the  husbandman  of  England, 
at  the  present  time  have  more  palatable  food,  better 
clothing  and  better  furniture,  than  were  possessed  by 
"  the  gentilitie"  in  the  "  golden  days"  of  Queen  Bess.  la 
no  other  equally  extensive  districts  of  the  world  are  the 
people  generally  so  well  off  as  to  physical  comforts,  or  so 
intellectually  progressive,  as  in  England  and  Massachu- 
setts, and  in  none  have  Manufactures  as  yet  attained  equal 
prominence  as  branches  of  industry.  In  1850  there  were 
employed  in  Textile  Manufactures  alone,  the  following : 

MILLS  IN  THE  UNITED  KINGDOM. 

England  and  Wales.    Scotland.        Ireland.  Total. 

Mills 3,699  550  91  4,340 

Spindles, 22,859,010  2,256,408  532,303  25,647,721 

Pv,wer  Looms, 272,586  28,811  2,517  303,914 

Moving  Power,  Steam,  (horses)  91,610  13,857  2,646  108,113 

"            "        Water,     "        18,214  6,004  1,886  26,104 

The  persons  employed  in  these  mills  numbered  506,082, 
of  whom  40,775  were  children  under  thirteen  years  of 
age,  and  329,577  were  females  above  thirteen.  In  the 
United  States,  the  most  important  of  the  Textile  Manu- 
factures are  those  of  Cotton  and  Wool.  In  1850  there 
was  employed  in  the  Cotton  Manufacture  a  capital  of 
374,500,931 ;  consuming  641,240  bales  of  cotton  annually, 
and  producing  about  763,000,000  yards  of  sheetings, 
shirtings,  calicoes,  &c.,  and  27,000,000  Ibs.  of  yarn, 
valued  for  the  entire  product  at  $61,869,184.  The  num- 
ber of  persons  employed  was  92,286,  of  whom  33,150 
were  males,  and  59,136  were  females.  Massachusetts 
contained  about  one-third  of  the  whole  number  of  spin- 
dles in  the  United  States,  and  about  one-hulf  the  capital 
invested  in  the  Cotton  Manufacture  was  owned  in  Massa- 
chusetts. The  Woolen  Manufacture  of  the  United  States 


ENGLAND    AND    MASSACHUSETTS.  23 

employed  a  capital,  of  about  §28,000,000;  consuming 
71,000,000  Ibs.  of  Wool,  worth  §25,000,000;  and  the  pro- 
duct was  valued  at  §43,207,545.  It  is  more  generally  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  United  States  than  the  Cotton 
Manufacture,  yet  Massachusetts  employs  in  it  one  third 
of  the  whole  capital  and  consumes  one  third  of  the  Wool. 
But  the  future  of  manufacturing  enterprise  in  the 
United  States,  except  in  its  effects  upon  society,  must  not 
be  judged  from  its  present  development  in  Massachusetts. 
In  1810,  according  to  the  census,  Virginia,  the  two  Caro 
Hnas  and  Georgia  manufactured  greatly  more  in  quantity 
and  value  of  Cotton  and  Woolen  fabrics  than  the  whole 
of  NQV?  England ;  and  North  Carolina  produced  double  as 
many  yards  as  Massachusetts.  We  doubt  not  the  supe- 
rior intellectual  energy  of  the  people  of  Massachusetts 
has  attracted  much  that,  with  equality  in  this  particular, 
combined  with  superior  physical  advantages,  will  again 
be  attracted  elsewhere.  Manufacturing  enterprise  in  the 
United  States  is  yet  in  its  experimental  stage.  The  peo- 
ple have  but  recently  recovered  from  the  delusion  that 
Manufactures  are  injurious  to  national  prosperity.  They 
have  not  had  time  to  study  the  conditions  upon  which 
success  in  Manufactures  depends,  or  to  comprehend  the 
lines  that  naturally  and  properly  separate  human  pursuits. 
In  future  times,  a  manufacturer  will  no  more  think  of 
consulting  merely  his  personal  inclinations,  or  one  favora- 
ble circumstance,  in  the  location  of  his  manufactory,  than 
the  agriculturist,  for  a  similar  reason,  would  choose  for  the 
field  of  his  operations  the  Pilot  Knob  of  Missouri,  or  the 
gold-seeker  the  sands  of  New  Jersey.  As  yet  manufac- 
turers are  working  independently  not  only  of  each  other, 
but  of  the  general  laws  that  underlie  economical  produc- 
tion. Being  in  doubt  as  to  the  proper  locality,  they  have 
not  concentrated  or  combined  their  efforts :  and  the  buyers 
of  manufactured  goods  being  in  doubt  as  to  the  Home 


24  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Market,  give  their  confidence  to  European  manufacturers. 
It  is  the  object  of  the  present  volume  to  submit,  with  due 
deference,  to  the  consideration  of  both  these  classes,  some 
suggestions  based  on  the  experience  of  the  past  and  of 
other  countries  ;  and  to  endeavor  to  aid  them — First :  by 
considering  what  are  the  requisites  to  prosperity  or  the  causes 
of  economical  production  in  Manufactures  ;  Secondly  :  by  in- 
dicating a  locality  possessing  the  advantages  for  manufactur- 
ing in  the  highest  degree  of  perfection  ;  Thirdly  :  by  showing 
the  progress  already  made  in  Manufactures  in  that  locality. 

I.  Political  Economists  divide  the  essential  requisites 
of  production  into  two — Labor,  and  appropriate  natural 
objects.  To  these,  in  Manufactures,  we  must  certainly  add 
Capital.  But  the  productive  efficacy  of  all  productive 
agents,  as  every  one  has  observed,  varies  greatly  at  various 
times  and  places,  and  depends  upon  a  variety  and  due  com- 
bination of  circumstances,  partly  moral  and  partly  physical. 
Foremost  among  the  moral  circumstances  conducive  and 
essential  to  prosperity,  especially  in  Manufactures,  are 
freedom  of  industry  and  security  of  property.  We  need 
but  glance  at  the  history  of  any  European  nation,  France 
in  particular,  to  discover  that  governmental  interference 
with  industry  is  baneful  in  its  effects,  and  that  monopo- 
lies and  corporation  privileges  retard  progress.  "I  have 
frequently  seen,"  says  Roland  de  la  Platiere,  a  minister 
of  state  during  the  French  Revolution,  "manufacturers 
visited  by  a  band  of  satellites,  who  put  all  in  confusion  in 
their  establishments,  spread  terror  in  their  families,  cut 
the  stuff  from  the  frames,  tore  off  the  warp  from  the 
looms,  and  carried  them  away  as  proofs  of  infringement ; 
the  manufacturers  were  summoned,  tried  and  condemned; 
their  goods  confiscated;  copies  of  their,  judgment  of  con- 
fiscation posted  up  in  every  public  place  ;  future  reputa- 
tion, credit,  all  was  lost  and  destroyed.  And  for  what 


MORAL   CAUSES  OF    EMINENCE    IN    MANUFACTURES.        25 

offense  ?  Because  they  had  made  of  worsted  a  kind  of 
cloth  called  shay,  such  as  the  English  used  to  manufacture, 
and  even  sell  in  France,  while  the  French  regulations 
stated  that  that  kind  of  cloth  should  be  made  with 
mohair.  I  have  seen  other  manufacturers  treated  in  the 
same  way,  because  they  had  made  camlets  of  a  particular 
width,  used  in  England  and  Germany,  for  which  there 
was  a  great  demand  from  Spain,  Portugal,  and  other 
countries,  and  from  several  parts  of  France,  while  the 
French  regulations  prescribed  other  widths  for  camlets. 
There  was  no  free  town  where  mechanical  invention 
could  find  a  refuge  from  the  tyranny  of  the  monopolists 
— no  trade  but  what  was  clearly  and  explicitly  described 
by  the  statutes  could  be  exercised — none  but  what  was 
included  in  the  privileges  of  some  corporation." 

In  England  freedom  of  industry  dates  from  the  aboli- 
tion of  monopolies  in  1624 ;  and  there  can  be  no  question, 
as  McCulloch  observes,  that  "  Freedom  and  security — free- 
dom to  engage  in  every  employment,  and  to  pursue  our 
own  interest  in  our  own  way,  coupled  with  an  intimate 
conviction  that  acquisitions,  when  made,  might  be  securely 
enjoyed  or  disposed  of — have  been  the  most  copious 
sources  of  our  wealth  and  power.  There  have  been  only 
two  countries,  Holland  and  the  United  States,  which 
have,  in  these  respects,  been  placed  under  nearly  similar 
circumstances  as  England  ;  and  notwithstanding  the  dis- 
advantages of  their  situation,  the  Dutch  have  long  been, 
and  still  continue  to  be,  the  most  industrious  and  opulent 
people  of  the  Continent — while  the  Americans,  whose 
situation  is  more  favorable,  are  rapidly  advancing  in  the 
career  of  improvement  with  a  rapidity  hitherto  un- 
known." 

In  the  United  States,  industry,  it  is  true,  is  generally 
free,  and  property  in  most  places  adequately  protected  by 
public  opinion  against  both  legislative  and  mob  violence  ; 
1* 


26  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

but  our  advantages  in  these  respects  for  the  development 
of  enterprise  in  Manufactures  have  been  modified  and 
limited  by  fluctuating  legislation  on  the  subject  of 
foreign  competition.  Very  early  in  our  constitutional 
history  the  question  was  agitated — Shall  Government,  in 
adjusting  its  taxes  for  revenue,  so  discriminate  as  to  pro- 
tect and  encourage  Home  Manufacturers,  or  in  other 
words,  to  diminish,  if  not  exclude,  foreign  competition 
in  our  markets?  This  question  was  submitted  to  the 
people,  but  proved  too  vast  for  popular  solution.  Their 
opinions  changed  with  the  current  of  argument,  like  the 
judgment  of  the  Dutch  Justice ;  and  the  decision  which 
they  had  made  promptly  in  accordance  with  the  wish  of 
the  attorneys  on  the  one  side,  was  as  promptly  reversed 
upon  the  suggestion  of  the  attorneys  on  the  other  side. 
Finally,  not  knowing  what  to  do,  the  majority  seem  to 
have  concluded  that,  as  posterity  had  done  nothing  for 
them  they  were  under  no  obligations  to  do  any  thing  for 
posterity.  In  the  mean  time  legislation  upon  the  ques- 
tion fluctuated  with  the  vacillation  in  public  sentiment ; 
and  capitalists  being  unable  to  calculate  with  certainty 
the  risks  involved,  were  timid  in  embarking  in  manu- 
facturing enterprises.  It  would  seem  therefore  that,  in 
addition  to  security  of  property  and  freedom  of  industry, 
success  in  Manufactures  implies  a  certain  and  stable,  if 
not  wise  policy  in  governmental  action  upon  questions 
affecting  manufacturing  interests. 

2.  Another  moral  cause  contributing,  and  in  fact  essen- 
tial to  eminence  in  manufacturing  industry,  is  the  general 
diffusion  of  intelligence  among  the  people.  By  intelligence, 
in  this  connection,  we  do  not  mean  merely  the  under- 
standing necessary  to  enable  an  individual  to  become 
the  creator  or  the  lord  of  a  machine.  The  capacity  to 
contrive  and  invent  seems  so  much  a  part  of  the  original 


MORAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IX  MANUFACTURES.          27 

constitution  of  man,  that  we  believe  there  is  in  every 
civilized  community  sufficient  ingenuity  and  mental 
power  to  have  originated  all  in  physical  science  that  has 
yet  been  devised  by  any.  The  mind  is  God's  machine, 
with  powers  seemingly  unlimited,  and  capable  of  produc- 
ing any  thing  from  a  bad  pun  to  the  lever  of  Archimedes, 
the  flying  pigeon  of  Archytas  or  the  calculating  machine 
of  Babbage.  But  the  exercise  of  this  faculty,  the  appli- 
cation of  the  best  intellect  in  a  community  in  the  direc- 
tion of  practical  improvements,  depends  largely  upon  the 
approbation  and  rewards  bestowed  upon  successful  enter- 
prise in  invention  or  mechanical  labor.  It  is  in  vain  to 
hope  that  ambition  will  spur  intellect  to  achieve  mechani- 
cal triumphs,  where  an  inventor  is  respected  less  than  a 
tinseled  soldier  or  a  ragged  lawyer.  It  is  in  vain  to  ex- 
pect that  mechanics  will  strive  to  acquire  any  extraordi- 
nary skill  where  mechanical  labor  is  degraded  to  serfdom, 
or  even  is  not  appreciated.  In  the  histories  of  nations, 
whose  rise  and  fall  are  classical  studies,  we  learn  that 
the  application  of  mind  to  invention  as  well  as  handicraft 
operations,  was  regarded  as  unworthy  of  freemen.  "In 
my  time,"  says  Seneca,  "  there  have  been  inventions  of 
this  sort  —  transparent  windows,  tubes  for  diffusing 
warmth  equally  through  all  parts  of  a  building ;  short- 
hand, which  has  been  carried  to  such  perfection  that  a 
writer  can  keep  pace  with  the  most  rapid  speaker.  But 
the  inventing  of  such  things  is  drudgery  for  the  lowest  slaves. 
Philosophy  lies  deeper.  It  is  not  her  office  to  teach  men 
how  to  use  their  hands."  Another  ancient  and  eminent 
teacher,  who  can  boast  of  a  disciple  here  and  there  in 
our  country,  considered  the  true  object  of  all  education 
and  philosophy  to  be — to  fit  men  for  war.  Need  we 
wonder  there  have  been  dark  ages  in  the  world's  history. 
Need  we  say  that  in  an  atmosphere  tainted  with  such  a 
sterile  philosophy,  the  aits  which  improve  man's  material 


28  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

condition  cannot  flourish.  The  proud  position  of  New 
England — a  position  so  enviable  that  her  light  reflects 
lustre  on  States  with  which  she  is  allied — is  due  rather  to 
her  sound,  intelligent,  practical  philosophy,  than  to  any 
physical  advantages  or  original  intellectual  superiority. 
A  Yankee  lad  inhales  from  the  surrounding  atmosphere, 
if  he  do  not  hear  from  his  father's  lips,  that  it  is  an 
important  part  of  his  duty  to  aid  in  extending  man's  em- 
pire over  the  material  world,  and  every  available  addition 
to  human  force  for  accomplishing  that  end,  that  he  may 
originate,  will  be  a  sure  passport  to  the  respect  of  his 
neighbors,  if  not  to  fortune.  The  women  and  children 
are  educated  to  regard  ignorance  and  idleness  as  vices  ; 
and  all,  deeming  it  honorable  to  add  something  to  the 
aggregate  product  of  their  country's  wealth,  co-operate  and 
lighten  the  original  curse,  for 

"  All  are  needed  by  each  one,  * 

Nothing  is  fair  or  good  alone." 

3.  A  third  cause  of  eminence  in  Manufacturing,  and  es- 
sential to  economical  production,  is  an  abundant  supply  of 
the  most  effective  laborers,  and  of  those  qualified  to  direct  labor. 
In  view  of  the  improvements  already  made,  it  would  be 
rash  to  assert  that  a  time  will  never  come  when  automatic 
machines  will  dispense  entirely  with  manual  labor  in 
manufacturing.  So  far,  the  introduction  of  machinery 
has  stimulated  the  pressing  demand  for  educated  labor; 
and  if  we  can  at  all  judge  of  the  future,  success  will 
depend  more  and  more  upon  the  quality  of  the  labor 
employed.  Labor  is  effective  according  as  it  is  dexterous 
or  as  it  is  skillful.  In  purely  routine  processes,  dexterity 
may  be  the  quality  of  chief  value,  but  laborers  differ  in 
dexterity  almost  as  much  as  in  mechanical  skill.  English- 
men say  that  a  laborer  in  Essex  is  cheaper  at  2«.  6d.  per 


MORAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IX  MANUFACTURES.          29 

day  than  a  laborer  in  Tipperary  at  5d. ;  and  as  operatives 
in  cotton  factories,  our  manufacturers  assert  that  one  Ame- 
rican girl  can  accomplish  as  much  in  a  given  time  as  two 
English  girls.  "  In  England,"  said  Mr.  Kempton,  before  the 
Committee  upon  Manufactures  of  the  House  of  Commors, 
"  the  girls  tend  two  power-looms.  In  America  our  girls 
tend  generally  four  power-looms  ;  some  for  years  tended 
five  power-looms,  and  some  tended  six  for  some  time, 
and  each  of  those  power-looms  turned  off  more  cloth 
than  I  have  found  any  power-looms  turn  off  in  this 
country."  Mr.  Cowell,  in  illustrating  the  comparative 
efficiency  of  operatives,  remarks — "  At  Mulhausen,  which 
is  styled  the  Manchester  of  France,  one  adult  and  two 
children  are  requisite  for  the  management  of  200  coarse 
threads,  and  they  gain  among  them  about  2s.  (48  cents)  at 
coarse  work.  At  Manchester  or  Bolton  one  adult  and 
two  children  can  manage  758  threads,  and  gain  among 
them  5*.  Qd.  per  day.  Thus,  although  wages  are  so  much 
lower  in  France,  the  difference  of  product  is  so  great  that 
the  cost,  in  money,  of  the  commodity  produced,  is  greater 
than  in  England.  In  the  former,  four  men  and  two 
children  are  required  to  manage  800  threads,  for  which 
they  receive  8«.,  while  in  the  latter  one  man  and  two 
children  are  capable,  with  the  best  machinery,  of  doing 
the  same,  and  their  wages  are  5s.  Qd." 

If  then  there  be  such  difference  in  the  productive  effi- 
cacy of  laborers,  in  operations  calling  for  mere  manual 
dexterity,  it  is  obvious  that  the  higher  we  ascend  in  those 
departments  of  mechanics  and  manufactures,  in  which 
the  mind  has  a  considerable  part,  the  greater  must  be 
the  advantage  in  favor  of  intelligence  and  skill.  And 
such  is  the  fact.  The  only  standard  by  which  to  estimate 
the  cost  of  labor,  is  the  amount  of  work  done  for  the  money 
paid — the  per  diem  earnings  of  the  workmen  being  in 
itself  no  criterion  by  which  to  judge  of  the  cost  of  labor. 


80  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

That  workman  is  the  cheapest  who  can  produce  the  most 
of  a  given  quality  for  a  given  sum  of  money;  whether  he 
earn  one  dollar  or  five  dollars  per  day,  and  that  manu- 
facturer can  produce  with  the  most  efficiency,  and  the 
least  expense,  other  things  being  equal,  who  can  at  all 
times  command  the  requisite  supply  of  such  workmen. 

As  ingenious  mechanics  and  rapid  workmen,  the  Anglo- 
Americans  have  no  superiors.  As  skillful  workmen  in 
departments  for  which  they  have  been  specially  educated, 
the  English  are  celebrated.  Regular  and  habitual  energy 
in  labor,  however,  is  a  characteristic  of  both.  They  have 
no  life  but  in  their  work — no  enjoyment  but  in  the  shop. 
What  other  races  consider  amusement,  is  no  amusement 
to  them.  But  in  England  and  America  there  is  a  marked 
difference  between  the  quality  of  the  labor  that  can  be  ob- 
tained in  the  country  and  in  the  towns.  In  fact,  in  or  near 
large  cities  only  can  labor  of  the  first  quality  be  obtained. 
"As  iron  sharpeneth  iron,  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  coun- 
tenance of  his  friend ;"  and  away  from  the  centres  of  popu- 
lation and  competition,  the  face  loseth  its  sharpness,  and  the 
hand  its  cunning.  Cities  are  in  nothing  more  remarkable 
than  in  their  attractive,  magnetic  influence  upon  talent  of 
every  description.  "The  man  who  desires  to  employ  his 
pen,"  observes  Carey,  "  and  who  possesses  only  the  ability 
to  conduct  a  country  newspaper,  removes  to  the  interior, 
while  the  man  of  talent  leaves  his  country  paper  to  take 
charge  of  one  in  the  city.  The  dauber  of  portraits  leaves 
the  city  to  travel  the  country  in  search  of  employment, 
while  the  painter  removes  to  Philadelphia,  New  York  or 
London.  The  inferior  lawyer,  physician,  surgeon,  den- 
tist or  merchant  removes  to  the  West,  while  the  superior 
one  leaves  the  West  and  settles  in  those  places  in  which 
population  is  dense  ;  where  the  means  of  production  are 
great;  where  talent  is  appreciated  and  best  paid;  and 
where  reputation,  when  acquired,  is  worth  possessing." 


.MORAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IN  MANUFACTURES.          31 

Superior  mechanics  and  dexterous  workmen  manifest  a 
similar  preference  for  cities  and  an  abhorrence  of  isola- 
tion ;  hence,  if  for  no  other  reason,  extensive  mechanical 
or  manufacturing  operations  must  be  conducted  at  a 
great  disadvantage  in  isolated  localities.  In  a  limited  ex- 
perience, I  have  known  of  several  establishments  that  have 
failed  apparently  from  no  other  cause  than  the  impossi- 
bility of  tilling  orders  promptly,  in  consequence  of  diffi- 
culty in  procuring  and  retaining  an  adequate  supply  of 
good  mechanics  in  an  unattractive  locality;  and  to  the 
disposition  to  select  such  situations  because  of  water 
power  or  some  other  circumstance,  we  ascribe  much  of 
the  past  embarrassments  of  our  manufacturers.  In  some 
of  thfe  secluded  manufacturing  villages  of  New  England, 
it  is  the  custom  of  the  proprietors  to  fasten  such  superior 
workmen  as  they  may  have  seduced  thither,  by  aiding 
them  to  invest  their  earnings  in  a  house  and  lot,  which 
they  cannot  afterward  dispose  of  except  at  a  great  sacrifice ; 
but  the  practice,  it  would  seem,  is  rather  to  be  commended 
for  its  shrewdness  than  its  wisdom.  A  dependent  or 
dissatisfied  workman  can  hardly  be  an  efficient  one. 

As  respects  those  who  are  well  qualified  to  direct  labor,  the 
supply  is,  in  all  places,  especially  in  isolated  localities,  far 
short  of  the  demand.  Foremost  in  this  class  it  can  be  no 
disparagement  to  place  scientific  men.  As  agents  of  eco- 
nomical production,  none  are  more  effective.  The  prog- 
ress of  Manufactures,  in  many  of  its  departments,  is 
intimately  connected  with  and  dependent  upon  the 
progress  made  in  the  exact  sciences ;  and  to  the  experi- 
ments and  investigations  of  scientific  men — the  men  who 
peer  into  the  secrets  of  Nature,  whether  concealed  in 
plants,  in  animals  or  minerals,  and  who 

"  Find  tongues  in  trees,  books  in  running  brooks, 
Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  every  thing," — 


32  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

that  onr  Manufactures  are  largely  indebted  for  their  pres- 
ent development,  and  upon  such  men,  we  must  rely  prin- 
cipally, as  we  may  do  with  confidence,  for  the  discovery 
of  new  sources  of  wealth,  that  at  a  future  day  will  give 
employment  and  wealth  to  millions  of  human  beings. 
But  scientific  men  are  not  abundant  even  in  the  centres 
where  Libraries,  Galleries  and  Academies  are  numerous; 
those  best  qualified  to  direct  labor  prefer  the  theatres 
offering  the  widest  scope  for  the  exhibition  of  their  abili- 
ties ;  and  even  inventors  have  discovered,  that  in  isolated 
localities,  they  may  exhaust  their  efforts  in  attempting 
what  has  been  better  executed  before. 

II.  Passing  to  the  physical  causes  of  eminence  in  manu- 
facturing industry,  we  remark  they  are  more  obvious 
than  the  moral  causes,  but  not  more  important.  To  pro- 
duce manufactured  goods  of  a  given  quality  with  the  least 
expense  being  the  great  desideratum,  it  follows  that  what- 
ever contributes  to  economy  in  production,  whatever 
saves  labor,  or  transportation,  or  raw  materials,  cannot 
safely  be  overlooked  or  despised.  But  to  investigate 
carefully  all  the  circumstances  that  have  an  influence 
upon  economical  production,  would  require  a  considera- 
ble volume,  and  be  foreign  to  our  main  inquiry.  Do- 
wiring  merely  to  discover  a  locality  within  our  extended 
country,  that,  by  the  use  of  the  proper  means,  will  certainly 
become  the  centre  and  chief  seat  of  American  manufac- 
tures, it  is  necessary  to  know  what  circumstances  have  more 
influence  than  any  others  in  facilitating  manufacturing 
enterprise,  and  thus  sooner  or  later  lead  to  superiority; 
but  it  is  not  necessary  to  exhaust  the  subject. 

England,  it  is  acknowledged,  is  pre-eminent  in  Manu- 
factures over  all  other  countries — but  why  ?  Her  colonial 
system,  her  shrewd  legislation,  the  simplicity  of  other 
nations  and  other  accidental  circumstances,  have  no  doubt 


PHYSICAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IN  MANUFACTURES.       33 

widened  the  market  for  her  manufactured  goods  to  an 
extraordinary  extent,  but  her  superiority  nevertheless  is 
the  result  of  solid,  substantial,  not  accidental  circum- 
stances. The  physical  advantages  which  have  contributed 
more  than  any  others  to  her  eminence,  as  we  think  all 
must  agree,  are  epitomized  by  the  Edinburgh  Review,  in 
the  following  summary :  1st.  Possession  of  supplies  of 
the  raw  materials  used  in  Manufactures;  2d.  The  command 
of  the  natural  means  and  agents  best  fitted  to  produce 
power ;  3d.  The  position  of  the  country  as  respects  others ; 
and  4th.  The  nature  of  the  soil  and  climate. 

"  1.  As  respects  the  first  of  these  circumstances,"  the  writer  says, 
"  every  one  who  reflects  on  the  nature,  value,  and  importance  of  our 
manufactures  of  Wool,  of  the  useful  Metals, — such  as  Iron,  Lead,  Tin, 
Copper. — and  of  Leather,  Flax,  and  so  forth,  must  at  once  admit,  that 
our  success  in  them  has  been  materially  promoted  by  our  having  abundant 
supplies  of  the  raw  material.  It  is  of  less  consequence  whence  the 
material  of  a  manufacture  possessing  great  value  in  small  bulk  is  de- 
rived, whether  it  be  furnished  from  native  sources,  or  imported  from 
abroad,  though  even  in  that  case  the  advantage  of  possessing  an  internal 
supply,  of  which  it  is  impossible  to  be  deprived  by  the  jealousy  or  hos- 
tility of  foreigners,  must  not  be  overlooked.  But  no  nation  can  make 
any  considerable  progress  in  the  manufacture  of  bulky  and  heavy 
articles,  the  conveyance  of  which  to  a  distance  unavoidably  occasions 
a  large  expense,  unless  she  have  supplies  of  the  raw  material  within 
herself.  Our  superiority  in  manufactures  depends  more  at  this  moment 
on  our  superior  machines  than  on  any  thing  else ;  and  had  we  been 
obliged  to  import  the  iron,  brass,  and  steel,  of  which  they  are  principally 
made,  it  is  exceedingly  doubtful  whether  we  should  have  succeeded  iu 
bringing  them  to  any  thing  like  their  present  pitch  of  improvement. 

"  2.  But  of  all  the  physical  circumstances  that  have  contributed  to 
our  wonderful  progress  in  manufacturing  industry,  none  has  had  nearly 
so  much  influence  as  our  possession  of  the  most  valuable  coal  mines. 
These  have  conferred  advantages  on  us  not  enjoyed  in  an  equal  degree 
by  any  other  people.  Even  though  we  had  possessed  the  most  abundant 
supply  of  the  ores  of  iron  and  other  useful  metals,  they  would  have  oeen 
of  little  or  no  use,  but  for  our  almost  inexhaustible  coal  mines.  Our 
country  is  of  too  limited  extent  to  produce  wood  sufficient  to  smelt  and 
prepare  any  considerable  quantity  of  iron,  or  other  metal ;  and  though 
2 


34  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

no  duty  were  laid  on  timber  when  imported,  its  cost  abroad,  and  the 
heavy  expense  attending  the  conveyance  of  so  bulky  an  article,  woula 
have  been  insuperable  obstacles  to  our  making  any  considerable  progress 
in  the  working  of  metals,  had  we  been  forced  to  depend  on  home  or 
foreign  timber.  We,  therefore,  are  disposed  to  regard  Lord  Dudley's 
discovery  of  the  mode  of  smelting  and  manufacturing  iron  by  means  of 
coal  only,  without  the  aid  of  wood,  as  one  of  the  most  important  ever 
made  in  the  arts.  We  do  not  know  that  it  is  surpassed  even  by  the 
steam  engine  or  spinning-frame.  At  all  events,  we  are  quite  sure  that  we 
owe  as  much  to  it  as  to  either  of  these  great  inventions.  But  for  it,  we 
should  have  always  been  importers  of  iron ;  in  other  words,  of  the 
materials  of  machinery.  The  elements,  if  we  may  so  speak,  out  of 
which  steam-engines  and  spinning-mills  are  made,  would  have  been 
dearer  here  than  in  most  other  other  countries.  The  fair  presumption 
consequently  is,  that  the  machines  themselves  would  have  been  dearer ; 
and  such  a  circumstance  would  have  counteracted,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, even  if  it  did  not  neutralize  or  overbalance,  the  other  circum- 
stances favorable  to  our  ascendancy.  But  now  we  have  the  ores  and 
the  means  of  working  them  in  greater  abundance  than  any  other 
people  ;  so  that  our  superiority  in  the  most  important  of  all  departments 
— that  of  machine-making — seems  to  rest  on  a  pretty  sure  foundation. 

"  It  is  further  clear,  that  without  a  cheap  and  abundant  supply  of 
fuel,  the  steam-engine,  as  now  constructed,  would  be  of  comparatively 
little  use.  It  is,  as  it  were,  the  hands  ;  but  coal  is  the  muscles  by  which 
they  are  set  in  motion,  and  .without  which  their  dexterity  cannot  be 
called  into  action,  and  they  would  be  idle  and  powerless.  Our  coal 
mines  may  be  regarded  as  vast  magazines  of  hoarded  or  warehoused 
power;  and  unless  some  such  radical  change  be  made  on  the  steam- 
engine  as  should  very  decidedly  lessen  the  quantity  of  fuel  required  to 
keep  it  in  motion,  or  some  equally  powerful  machine,  but  moved  by 
different  means,  be  introduced,  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  any  nation 
should  come  into  successful  competition  with  us,  in  those  departments 
in  which  steam-engines,  or  machinery  moved  by  steam,  may  be  most 
advantageously  employed. 

"Since  the  introduction  of  steam-engines,  Water-falls,  unless  under 
very  peculiar  circumstances,  have  lost  almost  all  their  value.  Steam 
may  be  supplied  with  greater  regularity,  and  being  more  under  command 
than  water,  is  therefore  a  more  desirable  agent.  This,  however,  is  but 
a  small  part  of  its  superiority.  Any  number  of  steam-engines  may  be 
constructed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  each  other,  so  that  all  the 
departments  of  manufacturing  industry  may  be  brought  together  and 
parried  on  in  the  same  town,  and  almost  in  the  same  factory.  A  com. 


PHYSICAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IN  MANUFACTURES.        35 

bination  and  adaptation  of  employments  to  each  other,  and  a  con^e- 
quent  saving  of  labor,  is  thus  effected,  that  would  have  been  quite  im- 
practicable, had  it  been  necessary  to  construct  factories  in  different 
parts  of  the  country,  and  often  in  inconvenient  situations,  merely  for 
the  sake  of  waterfalls. 

"  It  may  be  supposed,  perhaps,  that  a  difficulty  of  this  sort  might 
have  been  obviated  by  the  employment  of  horse-power  instead  of  steam ; 
but  the  following  statement,  which  we  extract  from  Dr.  lire's  work, 
shows  conclusively  that  this  would  not  have  been  the  case  : — 

" '  The  value  of  steam-impelled  labor  may  be  inferred  from  the  follow- 
ing facts,  communicated  to  me  by  an  eminent  engineer,  educated  in  the 
school  of  Boulton  and  Watt : — A  manufacturer  in  Manchester  works  a 
sixty-horse  Boulton  and  "Watt's  steam-engine,  at  a  power  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  horses  during  the  day,  and  sixty  horses  during  the 
night  ;  thus  extorting  from  it  an  impelling  force  three  times  greater 
than  he  contracted  or  paid  for.  One  steam  horse-power  is  equivalent 
to  33,000  pounds  avoirdupois,  raised  one  foot  high  per  minute  ;  but  an 
animal  horse-power  is  equivalent  to  only  22,000  pounds  raised  one 
foot  high  per  minute,  or,  in  other  terms,  to  drag  a  canal  boat  two 
hundred  and  twenty  feet  per  minute,  with  a  force  of  one  hundred 
pounds  acting  on  a  spring ;  therefore,  a  steam-horse  power  is  equiva- 
lent in  working  efficiency  to  one  living  horse,  and  one-half  the  labor 
of  another.  But  a  horse  can  work  at  its  full  efficiency  only  eight 
hours  out  of  the  twenty-four,  whereas  a  steam-engine  needs  no  period 
of  repose ;  and,  therefore,  to  make  the  animal  power  equal  to  the 
physical  power,  a  relay  of  one  and  a  half  fresh  horses  must  be  found 
three  times  in  the  twenty-four  hours,  which  amounts  to  four  and  a  half 
horses  daily.  Hence,  a  common  sixty-horse  steam-engine  does  the 
work  of  four  and  a  half  times  sixty  horses,  or  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy  horses.  But  the  above  sixty-horse  steam-engine  does  one-half 
more  work  in  twenty-four  hours,  or  that  of  four  hundred  and  five  living 
horses  I  The  keep  of  a  horse  cannot  be  estimated  at  less  than  1.?.  2d. 
per  day  ;  and,  therefore,  that  of  four  hundred  and  five  horses  would  be 
24Z.  daily,  or  7,500Z.  sterling,  in  a  year  of  three  hundred  and  thirteen 
days.  As  eighty  pounds  of  coals,  or  one  bushel,  will  produce  steam 
equivalent  to  the  power  of  one  horse  in  a  steam-engine  during  eight 
hours'  work,  sixty  bushels,  worth  about  30s.  at  Manchester,  will  main- 
tain a  sixty-horse  engine  in  fuel  during  eight  effective  hours, — and  two 
hundred  bushels,  worth  100s.,  the  above  hard-worked  engine  during 
twenty-four  hours.  Hence,  the  expense  per  annum  is  1,5651.  sterling, 
being  little  more  than  one-fifth  of  that  of  living  horses.  As  to  prime 
cost  and  superintendence,  the  animal  power  would  be  greatly  more  ex- 


36  PHILADELPHIA  AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

pensive  than  the  steam  power.  There  are  many  engines  made  by 
Boulton  and  Watt,  forty  years  ago,  which  have  continued  in  constant 
work  all  that  time  with  very  slight  repairs.  What  a  multitude  of 
valuable  horses  would  have  been  worn  out  in  doing  the  service  of  these 
machines !  and  what  a  vast  quantity  of  grain  would  they  have  con- 
sumed I  Had  British  industry  not  been  aided  by  Watt's  invention,  it 
must  have  gone  on  with  a  retarding  pace,  in  consequence  of  the  in- 
creasing cost  of  locomotive  power,  and  would,  long  ere  now,  have  ex- 
perienced, in  the  price  of  horses  and  scarcity  of  water-falls,  an  insur- 
mountable barrier  to  further  advancement :  could  horses,  even  at  the 
low  prices  to  which  their  rival,  steam,  has  kept  them,  be  employed  to 
drive  a  cotton-mill  at  the  present  day,  they  would  devour  all  the  profits 
of  the  manufacturer.' " 

"Water  power  has  heretofore  been  considered  cheaper, 
especially  for  small  manufacturing  establishments,  than 
steam  power ;  but  eminent  engineers  have  carefully 
investigated  the  subject,  and  are  of  opinion  that  in  any 
position  where  coal  can  be  had  "at  ten  cents  per  bushel," 
steam  is  as  cheap  as  water  power  at  its  minimum  cost.  Even 
for  cotton  factories,  the  manufacturers  of  New  England, 
according  to  Montgomery,  consider  the  advantages  of  a 
good  location  as  fully  equal  to  the  extra  expense  of  steam 
power,  even  when  coal  must  be  transported  from  Pennsylvania 
to  Massachusetts,  and  the  largest  mills  now  being  erected 
are  to  have  steam  as  a  motive  power^  Steam,  therefore, 
until  superceded  by  some  more  effective  agent,  will  be 
the  power  principally  relied  upon  to  propel  Machinery ; 
and  as  wood  for  the  generation  of  steam  upon  an  exten- 
sive scale  is  out  of  the  question,  we  may  safely  conclude 
that  at  no  very  distant  day,  the  centre  of  our  Manufactures 
will  certainly  be  in  or  near  a  district  possessing  inex- 
haustible supplies  of  cheap  coal. 

The  importance  of  coal  as  a  useful  agent  in  the  Arts, 
is  not,  however,  limited  to  its  capacity  to  produce  power. 
It  lies  at  the  base  of  all  manufacturing  and  mining  opera- 
tions, and  surpasses  all  other  natural  products  in  the 


PHYSICAL   CAUSES  OF   EMINENCE   IN   MANUFACTURES.      37 

power  of  attracting  to  the  vicinity  where  it  can  be  ob- 
tained abundantly  and  cheaply — industry  and  population. 
In  England,  the  Woolen  Manufacturers  were  once  scat- 
tered over  Sussex,  Kent,  and  other  southern  counties,  but 
they  have  been  attracted,  principally  by  the  wonderful 
magnetism  of  coal,  to  the  North.  In  the  coal  districts  of 
England  we  find  all  her  great  manufacturing  cities  and 
towns  ;  Birmingham,  with  its  population  of  perhaps 
300,000  ;  Leeds,  with  a  population  of  200,000  ;  Sheffield, 
whose  hardware  manufactures  are  known  all  over  the 
world,  are  located  in  districts  abounding  with  coal,  and 
its  usual  accompaniment — Iron.  Manchester,  the  great 
seat  of  the  Cotton  Manufactures  of  Great  Britain,  whose 
population  now  exceeds  600,000,  is  situated  on  the 
edge  of  an  immense  and  seemingly  inexhaustible  coal- 
bed.  A  like  proximity  may  be  noticed  in  the  location 
of  Bolton,  Bradford,  Carlisle,  Huddersfield,  Oldham  and 
Wolverhamptou  in  England  ;  Merthyr  Tydvil  in  "Wales ; 
Glasgow  in  Scotland ;  and  Charleroy  in  Belgium. 

The  principal  manufacturing  cities  of  Europe,  in  this 
respect,  present  a  striking  contrast  to  those  of  the  United 
States.  In  New  England,  the  sites  of  the  chief  manufac- 
turing towns  seem  to  have  been  chosen  solely  with  refer- 
ence to  abundant  water  power;  and  herein  we  have  one 
reason  for  believing  that  their  present  pre-eminence  is 
destined  soon  to  be  overshadowed,  and  finally  obscured 
by  that  of  other  cities  possessing  all  their  other  advantages, 
and  having,  in  addition,  a  convenient  proximity  to  our 
immense  coal-beds.  In  spite  of  our  warm  regard  for  New 
England,  and  sincere  wishes  for  her  continued  prosperity 
in  Manufactures,  we  think  the  sceptre  will  eventually, 
and  ere  long,  depart  from  Judah.  But  New  England  will 
be  New  England  still.  The  virtues  which  make  a  great 
people  are  indigenous  to  her  soil,  and  will  continue  to 
animate  and  ennoble  the  population  when  her  capitalists 
2* 


38  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

and  ingenious  men  have  sought  other  localities,  possess- 
ing greater  physical  advantages  for  the  fulfillment  of  their 
"  manifest  destiny." 

3.  With  regard  to  the  third  point,  viz.  favorable  situa- 
tion as  respects  commerce  with  other  countries,  its  importance 
is  second  only  to  that  which  we  have  just  considered.  It 
is  in  the  nature  of  Manufactures  to  be  regardful  of  distant 
and  foreign  markets.  The  accelerated  production  which 
results  from  the  application  of  machinery,  enables  one 
manufacturer  to  supply  the  wants  of  many  hundreds  of 
consumers,  and  a  county  or  part  of  a  country  possessing 
superior  facilities  for  Manufactures,  can  supply  other 
countries  with  manufactured  goods  cheaper  than  they 
can  produce  them.  Great  Britain,  it  is  well  known, 
exports  the  bulk  of  her  manufactured  commodities.  The 
writer  whom  we  previously  quoted,  remarks  : 

"  Owing  to  the  facilities  afforded  by  our  insular  situation  for  main- 
taining an  intercourse  with  all  parts  of  the  world,  our  manufacturers 
have  been  able  to  obtain  supplies  of  the  raw  materials  on  the  easiest 
terms,  and  to  forward  their  own  products  wherever  there  was  a  demand 
for  them.  Had  we  occupied  a  central  situation,  in  any  quarter  of  the 
world,  our  facilities  for  dealing  with  foreigners  being  so  much  the  less, 
our  progress,  though  our  condition  had  been  otherwise  in  all  respects 
the  same,  would  have  been  comparatively  slow.  But  being  surrounded 
on  all  sides  by  the  sea,  that  is,  by  the  great  highway  of  nations,  we  have 
been  able  to  deal  with  the  most  distant  as  well  as  with  the  nearest 
people,  and  to  profit  by  all  the  peculiar  capacities  of  production  enjoyed 
by  each." 

In  the  United  States,  the  consumption  of  manufactured 
goods  is  so  vast,  that  we  are  apt  to  regard  any  foreign 
demand  as  unimportant.  But  for  the  year  ending  June 
30,  1855,  we  exported  manufactured  commodities  to  the 
amount  of  $30,609,518.  The  list  of  articles  exported 
embraced  nearly  all  our  prominent  Manufactures — Cotton 
piece  Goods  being  the  most  valuable  item,  amounting  to 


PHYSICAL  CAUSES  OF  EMINENCE  IN  MANUFACTURES.        39 

$5,857,181 ;  Manufactures  of  Iron  the  next,  $3,753,472 ; 
and  Artificial  Flowers  and  Billiard  Tables  the  smallest, 
of  which,  however,  the  exports  amounted  to  about  $8000. 
The  Canadas,  the  West  Indies,  the  South  American 
Republics,  Spain  and  her  dependencies,  Russia,  China, 
are  all  ready  and  willing  to  exchange  their  natural  pro- 
ducts for  our  manufactured  goods,  if  we  can  compete  with 
other  manufacturing  countries  in  their  markets.  Even 
English  consumers  have  no  objection  to  take  our  Manu- 
factures, not  excepting  Cotton  goods,  if  the  price  can  be 
arranged  satisfactorily.  As  early  as  1826  we  exported 
$664  cotton  goods  to  England  ;  in  1837,  $11,889 ;  and 
ever  since,  we  believe,  there  have  been  small  shipments 
annually.  Hence,  though  it  be  true  that,  in  the  United 
States,  the  Home  market  is  the  one  at  present  of  chief 
importance,  and  though  the  consumption  of  manufactured 
goods  is  so  immense  that  there  is  undoubtedly  room  for 
the  establishment  of  many  important  local  manufactories, 
if  such  can  exist,  at  a  variety  of  points ;  yet  to  supply  a 
foreign  demand,  as  well  as  to  obtain  the  raw  materials  on 
the  easiest  terms,  a  situation  on  or  near  the  sea-coast  is 
desirable ;  and  as  large  establishments  can  produce  more 
cheaply  than  small  ones,  as  we  shall  subsequently  show, 
it  is  highly  important  for  such  to  choose  a  locality 
possessing,  in  addition  to  the  other  moral  and  physical 
advantages,  a  complete  communication,  by  railroads  and 
canals,  with  all  parts  of  our  own  country,  and  an  estab- 
lished commerce  or  facilities  for  commerce  with  foreign 
countries. 

4.  A  suitable  Climate  is  also  a  consideration  of  very 
great  importance.  The  influence  of  climate  upon  the 
productiveness  of  industry,  especially  in  Manufactures,  is 
very  marked.  A  warm  climate  not  only  enervates  the 
body,  but  enfeebles  the  mind.  It  diminishes  the  utility 
of  money;  and  by  rendering  houses  and  clothing  less 


40  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

necessary  to  existence,  relieves  the  inhabitants  of  one 
great  spur  to  industry  and  invention.  In  very  cold  cli- 
mates, on  the  other  hand,  the  powers  of  Nature  are  be- 
numbed, and  the  difficulty  of  preserving  life  overrides  all 
considerations  for  making  existence  comfortable.  The 
climate  which  seems  most  favorable  to  the  development 
of  manufacturing  industry,  is  that  which  is  also  most 
conducive  to  health  and  longevity,  imparting  vigor  to  the 
frame  and  force  to  the  intellect,  and  if  we  may  judge  from 
the  past,  it  is  found  especially,  if  not  exclusively,  in  that 
part  of  the  Eastern  Hemisphere  which  lies  between  the 
parallels  of  45°  and  55°,  and  in  the  Western  between  39° 
and  45°  North  Latitude.  Climate  has  also  a  direct  influ- 
ence upon  the  durability  of  buildings,  the  working  of 
machinery,  and  the  dyeing  of  fabrics — points  that  we  may 
subsequently  consider — and  thus  becomes  an  element  of 
important  consideration  in  many  kind  of  Manufactures. 

The  Soil  of  a  country  or  district  well  adapted  for  Manu- 
factures, need  not  be  naturally  very  fertile.  In  fact  a 
soil  naturally  so  rich  that  Agriculture  is  an  easy  art,  will 
not  afford  sustenance  to  many  kinds  of  Manufactures.  In 
Southern  Europe,  for  instance,  where,  according  to  one 
authority,  the  only  art  which  the  farmers  know  is  to  leave 
their  ground  fallow  for  a  year,  so  soon  as  it  is  exhausted, 
and  the  warmth  of  the  sun  alone  and  temperature  of  the 
climate  enrich  it  and  restore  its  fertility,  we  look  in  vain 
for  those  enterprises  which  are  the  product  of  qualities 
and  virtues  that  are  nourished  by  difficulties,  not  facilities. 
In  England,  the  soil  is  naturally  coarse  and  stubborn,  but 
capable  of  being  made  highly  productive  by  labor,  ex- 
pense, and  good  husbandry  ;  and  such  a  soil,  with  the 
habits  of  careful  cultivation  induced  thereby,  is  the  safest 
reliance  for  supplying  the  markets  of  a  manufacturing 
district  with  the  necessaries  of  life,  at  moderate  prices. 


COMBINATION   OF   LABOR.  41 

III.  But  the  one  thing  essential  for  the  cheap  produc- 
tion of  manufactured  commodities,  and  without  which  all 
the  other  moral  and  physical  advantages  are  ineffectual, 
remains  to  be  noticed.  It  is  ASSOCIATION  or  COMBINATION 
OF  LABOR.  It  is  unnecessary  to  show  that  man,  unaided 
by  his  fellow  men,  is  a  helpless  being.  If  it  were,  we 
might  refer  to  the  savages  of  ^N"ew  Holland,  who,  they  say, 
never  help  each  other  even  in  the  most  simple  operations ; 
and  their  condition,  as  may  be  supposed,  is  hardly  supe- 
rior, in  some  respects  it  is  inferior,  to  that  of  the  wild 
animals  which  they  now  and  then  catch.  The  first  step 
in  social  improvement,  is  association  for  mutual  security 
and  mutual  assistance ;  and  every  advance  in  civilization  is 
directly  the  result  of  some  new  combination  of  efforts. 
All  the  marvels  of  past  times,  produced  by  human  agency 
— the  Temples,  Pyramids  and  Catacombs — and  all  the 
wonders  of  the  present — its  Railroads,  Telegraphs,  Mines 
and  Manufactures — have  a  common  origin  in  association 
of  numbers  for  a  common  purpose.  All  industrial  pur- 
suits depend  more  or  less  upon  this  principle  for  develop- 
ment, but  in  none  are  its  advantages  more  strikingly 
manifest  than  in  manufacturing  operations. 

To  combine  Labor  effectually,  it  is  necessary  first  to 
separate  employments  into  parts — that  is,  to  assign  to  each  co- 
worker  a  special  occupation.  The  Division  of  Labor,  as 
"Wakefield,  it  is  said,  was  the  first  to  point  out,  is  only  a 
single  department  of  a  more  comprehensive  Law,  which 
he  denominated  Co-operation,  or  combined  action  of  num- 
bers. Its  efficiency,  however,  as  an  aid  to  production,  is 
none  the  less  important,  and  has  been  abundantly  illus- 
trated by  all  who  have  written  on  Political  Economy. 
Adam  Smith  illustrated  it  from  pin-making ;  and  men- 
tioned that  ten  men,  in  a  small  manufactory,  but  indiffer- 
ently accommodated  with  the  necessary  machinery,  could 
make,  by  confining  themselves  as  much  as  possible  to 


42  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

* 

distinct  operations,  upward  of  48,000  pins  in  a  day,  or 
4,800  for  each  individual,  whereas  if  they  all  wrought 
separately  and  independently,  they  certainly  could  not, 
each  of  them,  make  twenty,  perhaps  not  one  pin  in  a  day. 
M.  Say  illustrates  the  principle  by  reference  to  the  man- 
ufacture of  playing-cards,  and  says  that  each  card,  before 
being  ready  for  sale,  undergoes  no  fewer 

"Than  seventy  operations,  and  if  there  are  not  seventy  clasess  of  work- 
people in  each  card  manufactory,  it  is  because  the  division  of  labor  is  not 
carried  so  far  as  it  might  be  ;  because  the  same  workman  is  charged  with 
two,  three,  or  four  distinct  operations.  The  influence  of  this  distribution 
is  immense.  I  have  seen  a  card  manufactory  where  thirty  workmen  pro- 
duced daily  15,500  cards,  being  above  500  cards  for  each  laborer ;  and 
it  may  be  presumed  that  if  each  of  these  workmen  were  obliged  to  per- 
form all  the  operations  himself,  even  supposing  him  a  practiced  hand, 
Le  would  not  perhaps  complete  two  cards  in  a  day,  and  the  thirty  work- 
men, instead  of  15,500  cards,  would  make  only  sixty." 

Henry  C.  Carey  refers  to  weaving  in  India,  and  says  : 

*  In  India  each  weaver  works  by  himself.  He  purchases  at  a  high 
price,  ou  credit,  the  materials  with  which  he  is  to  work,  and  the  pro- 
visions required  for  his  support,  and  he  sells  the  product  at  a  price  not 
exceeding  one-third  of  its  market  value.  Here  is  no  combination  of 
action — no  division  of  labor.  The  whole  work  is  to  be  performed  by 
the  single  individual ;  and  the  time  that  might  be  employed  in  finishing 
the  finest  muslins,  is  wasted  upon  various  processes  requiring  inferior 
ability,  from  the  purchase  of  the  cotton  to  its  final  sale." 

Further  illustrations  are  therefore  superfluous.  The 
principle  is  settled:  quantity  and  economy  of  production 
are  immeasurably  aided  by  the  division  of  employments 
into  parts  for  the  sake  of  combination  of  Labor. 

Secondly,  to  combine  Labor  to  the  best  advantage,  it  is 
essential  to  conduct  operations  on  a  sufficiently  large  scale 
to  have  a  separate  workman,  or  a  separate  machine,  for  each 
process  into  which  it  is  convenient  to  subdivide  the  manufac- 
ture, and  to  afford  each  workman  or  machine  full  employ- 


COMBINATION   OF   LABOR.  43 

ment  in  that  special  occupation.  This  we  regard  to  be  the 
natural  limit  of  a  manufacturing  establishment.  Any 
extension  beyond  this  may  be  said  to  comprise  two  estab- 
lishments in  one ;  and  any  establishment  of  less  size  cannot 
realize  the  full  benefits  of  a  Division  of  Labor,  and  con- 
sequently cannot  produce  with  the  utmost  efficiency  and 
economy.  The  application  of  the  principle,  however, 
would,  in  most  kinds  of  Manufactures,  lead  to  moderately 
large  establishments ;  and  that  such  establishments  can 
produce  more  economically,  or  in  other  words  aft'ord  to 
work  for  a  less  percentage  of  profit,  is  simply  a  well- 
established  fact.  A  Philadelphia  miller  is  content  with 
the  bran  alone  as  his  toll  for  grinding  his  customer's  corn ; 
but  a  country  miller,  in  a  sparsedly  populated  district,  must 
take  a  considerable  portion  of  the  grain  for  converting 
the  balance  into  flour.  The  expenses  of  a  business  do 
not  by  any  means  increase  proportionally  to  the  quantity 
of  business.  A  merchant,  for  instance,  who,  by  advertis- 
ing, has  attracted  trade  to  the  amount  of  $1,000,000  per 
annum,  is  not  required  to  pay  ten  times  as  much  rent,  nor 
does  he  need  ten  times  more  clerks,  fuel,  lights,  &c.,  than 
the  man  who  "never  advertises,"  and  perchance,  does  a 
business  of  $100,000  a  year.  In  a  large  manufacturing 
establishment,  the  expenses  of  superintendence,  repairs, 
etc.,  form  but  a  trifling  percentage  on  the  aggregato 
product,  while  the  time  consumed  in  making  a  large  pur- 
chase is  very  little  more  than  in  making  a  small  one. 
Producers  on  a  large  scale  can  also  aftbrd  to  procure  the 
best  and  most  expensive  machinery  ;  and  in  some  kinds 
of  Manufactures,  those  who  produce  largely  are  content 
with  "  savings"  as  their  profit,  and  are  enabled  to  save 
what  would  be  "waste"  in  a  small  establishment.  Mr. 
Whitney,  at  his  car-wheel  establishment  in  Philadelphia, 
can  save  from  the  cinders,  we  are  informed,  enough  iron 
to  content  a  gentleman  of  his  moderate  views  as  to  profit, 


44  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

but  a  manufacturer  of  car-wheels  on  a  small  scale,  would 
not  find  it  profitable  to  provide  the  machinery  requisite 
for  that  purpose.  From  these  and  other  considerations, 
which  want  of  space  forbids  us  to  allude  to,  we  infer  that 
in  future  the  manufacture  of  leading  articles  of  consump- 
tion will  be  more  and  more  conducted  by  large  establish- 
ments, in  a  locality  possessing  in  the  highest  degree  of 
perfection,  the  moral  and  physical  advantages  that  are 
essential  to  manufacturing  prosperity.  But  it  does  not 
follow  that  large  establishments  will  swallow  up  all 
smaller  ones,  unless  it  be  those  of  a  precisely  similar 
kind,  situated  outside  of  the  centres  of  combination.  The 
economy  which  results  from  producing  on  a  large  scale, 
induces  an  increased  demand  for  the  manufactured  goods; 
and  an  increased  demand  leads  to  a  more  minute  sub- 
division of  a  manufacture  into  parts.  "When  thousands 
of  machines  composed  of  Iron  and  Wood  are  required, 
we  find  establishments  springing  up,  devoted  exclusively 
to  making  parts — one,  the  nuts  and  washers  ;  another  the 
screws  ;  another  the  bolts ;  another  the  nails  ;  and  others 
tools  and  machines  to  facilitate  making  parts,  and  so  on, 
each  extensive  in  its  way,  and  thus  large  establishments 
in  the  leading  branches  of  Manufactures  are  the  parents  of 
other  extensive  concerns  in  minor  branches.  A  man  who 
has  not  the  requisite  capital  to  conduct  a  leading  Manufac- 
ture where  large  establishments  abound,  permit  us  to 
suggest,  will  not  benefit  himself  by  moving  away  from 
them.  His  policy  is,  we  submit — to  remain  at  all  events, 
in  their  immediate  vicinity,  and  then  to  accommodate  his 
business  to  their  operations  and  to  his  capital — that  is,  he 
will  find  it  more  profitable  to  be  an  extensive  manu- 
facturer of  eyes  for  children's  dolls  in  the  centre  of 
Manufactures,  than  a  small  manufacturer  of  machinery 
anywhere. 

Lastly,  to  produce  with  the  utmost  efficiency  and  eco- 


AGGREGATION   OF   MANUFACTURING    ESTABLISHMENTS.    45 

nomy,  manufacturing  establishments  must  be  together.  The 
area  of  England  and  Wales  is  only  about  one-fourth  more 
than  that  of  Pennsylvania.  In  England  all  the  large 
manufacturing  establishments  are  situated,  as  we  have 
stated,  in  close  proximity  to  the  coal  beds.  Manufactur- 
ers— one  after  another — have  abandoned  their  factories  iu 
the  Agricultural  counties  and  moved  their  machinery  to 
the  district  of  which  Manchester  may  be  called  the  central 
point.  Babbage  has  referred  to  one  of  the  advantages 
resulting  from  this  aggregation: 

"  The  accumulation  of  many  large  manufacturing  establishments  in 
one  district,"  he  says,  "  has  a  tendency  to  bring  together  purchasers  or 
their  agents  from  great  distances,  and  thus  to  cause  the  institution  of  a 
public  mart  or  exchange.  This  contributes  to  increase  the  information 
relative  to  the  supply  of  raw  material  and  the  state  of  demand  for  their 
produce,  with  which  it  is  necessary  manufacturers  should  be  well  ac- 
quainted. The  very  circumstance  of  collecting  periodically,  at  one 
place,  as  large  a  number  as  possible,  both  of  those  who  supply  the 
market  and  those  who  require  its  produce,  tends  strongly  to  check 
those  accidental  fluctuations  to  which  a  small  market  is  ever  subject, 
as  well  as  to  render  the  average  of  the  prices  paid  much  more  uniform 
in  its  course." 

The  accumulation  of  many  large  and  excellent  manu- 
facturing establishments  in  one  district,  also  gives  a 
character  and  stamp  to  the  Manufactures,  which  others 
who  centre  there  receive  the  benefit  of.  There  is  also 
a  mutuality  of  interest  between  manufacturers  of 
even  essentially  different  products,  that  renders  aggre- 
gation highly  desirable.  The  finished  products  of  one 
class  of  manufacturers  are  often  the  raw  materials  of 
another.  The  power-looms  of  Mr.  Jenks  are  but  the 
instruments  of  production  for  the  Manufacturer  of  Cotton 
and  "Woolen  goods  ;  and  the  finished  commodities  of  the 
latter,  are  the  raw  materials  of  those  who  manufacture 
ready-made  Clothing.  Pig  iron — the  finished  commodity 


46  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

of  the  smelter,  is  the  raw  material  of  him  who  rolls  the 
bar ;  and  the  bar  is  again  the  raw  material  of  sheet  iron  ; 
which,  in  its  turn,  is  the  raw  material  of  the  nail  and  the 
spike.  A  sugar-refiner  consumes  the  hogsheads,  boxes 
and  barrels  of  the  cooper,  paper  of  the  paper-maker,  and 
the  finished  products  of  coppersmiths,  nail-manufacturers, 
twine-spinners,  printers  and  various  others.  In  fact,  the 
largest  and  in  many  instances  the  sole  consumers  of  cer- 
tain manufactured  articles,  are  the  Manufacturers  of  other 
products;  and  finished  commodities  being,  as  a  general 
rule,  cheapest  at  the  place  of  their  production,  without 
commissions  or  charges  for  transportation,  it  is  certainly 
for  the  interest  of  those  who  buy  to  produce,  and  those 
who  produce  to  sell,  to  be  together.  Aggregation,  in 
fact,  is  the  only  effectual  means  of  accumulating  and  com- 
bining all  economies. 

In  Combination  there  is  mystery  like  that  of  the  Oak  in 
the  Acorn.  Like  the  philosopher's  stone,  it  turns  all  to 
gold — like  the  lever  or  the  screw,  in  adds  to  man's  power 
many  hundred  fold.  Protective  tariffs  are  useful  as 
swaddling  clothes  to  the  infant ;  banks  facilitate  exchanges ; 
but  the  perfection  of  combination  cannot  be  attained 
except  by  aggregation  in  a  suitable  locality.  If  the 
Manufacturers  of  the  United  States  ever  hope  to  attain 
an  independent  position — independent  of  Foreign  compe- 
tition and  of  Home  legislation,  independent  of  commission 
merchants  and  of  each  other — they  must  centralize,  so 
far  as  centralization  is  at  all  practicable.  They  must 
come  out  from  sylvan  retreats,  deny  themselves  the  ad- 
vantages of  mill-races  and  the  harmonies  of  frog-ponds. 
They  must  tear  down  the  miserable  shingles  "  No  admit- 
tance on  any  pretext  whatever" — abandon  their  petty 
jealousies,  enlarge  their  views,  and  co-operate  like  men 
and  brethren.  Blacksmiths,  Cobblers  and  Wheelwrights 
may  eke  out  an  existence  "  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 


MANUFACTURING   CENTRES.  47 

plow  and  the  harrow,"  hut  in  a  Democratic  country, 
whose  people  believe  in  buying  where  they  can  buy  the 
cheapest,  whether  wisely  or  not  we  do  not  say,  Manu- 
facturers, in  the  true  sense  of  the  term,  who  attempt 
isolation,  will  inevitably  find  themselves,  sooner  or  later, 
undersold,  first,  by  those  who  operate  in  the  centres  of 
Combination,  and  finally,  undersold  by  the  Sheriff, 

From  all  these  considerations,  which  in  substance  we 
believe  to  be  thoroughly  sound,  and  to  which  we  invite 
the  closest  scrutiny,  we  are  led  irresistibly  to  the  convic- 
tion— that  but  few  countries  in  the  world,  and  but  few 
places  in  any  country,  are  well  adapted  for  general  Manu- 
factures. Secondly :  That  the  best  possible  locality  in  the 
United  States  for  general  manufacturing  is  an  attractive  and 
suitable  centre  of  Wealth,  Population  and  Intelligence,  situ* 
ated  in  a  populous  district,  abounding  in  well  developed 
mines  of  Coal  and  Iron,  and  possessing  established  and  su- 
perior facilities  of  intercommunication  with  all  parts  of  our 
own  country,  and  for  commerce  with  foreign  countries.  And 
Thirdly :  If  there  be  two  or  more  such  localities,  the  one  pos- 
sessing desirable,  in  addition  to  the  essential  advantages  in 
the  highest  degree  of  perfection,  and  the  one  already  having 
the  greatest  number  of  large  and  well-managed  manufacturing 
establishments,  must  be  the  best  market  in  which  to  buy  the 
commodities  manufactured  there,  and  eventually  will  be  the 
chief  seat  of  Manufactures  in  the  United  States. 

Now,  have  we  such  a  locality  ?  The  centres  of  "Wealth, 
Population  and  Intelligence  in  the  United  States  are  not 
numerous.  Suitable  centres  for  manufacturing,  situated 
in  close  proximity  to  well-developed  mines  of  Coal  and 
Iron,  and  possessing  established  facilities  for  procuring 
raw  materials  on  the  easiest  terms,  and  sending  away 
manufactured  produce,  are  very  few  ;  and  of  centres  of 
Wealth,  Population  and  Intelligence,  we  know  of  but  one 
that  possesses  all  the  essential  and  most  of  the  desirable 


48  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

advantages  for  manufacturing  every  variety  of  products, 
and  which  already  contains  many  large  and  well-managed 
manufacturing  establishments.  To  that  one  we  invite 
the  attention  of  all  who  produce,  and  deal  in  or  consume 
manufactured  commodities.  The  subject  is  one  in  which 
all  these  have  a  deep  interest.  If  it  be  true  that  the 
highest  degree  of  economy  in  production  depends  upon  a 
combination  of  certain  circumstances,  rarely  found,  but 
which  exist  in  the  highest  degree  of  perfection  in  a  cer- 
tain place,  all  who  desire  to  produce  cheaply,  and  all 
who  desire  to  buy  cheaply,  have  a  direct  pecuniary 
interest  in  knowing  the  facts,  and  in  aiding  to  develop 
its  capabilities.  The  place  to  which  we  invite  earnest 
and  sagacious  attention,  as  the  best  manufacturing  centre 
at  present  in  the  United  States,  is  PHILADELPHIA,  in  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania. 


Od 


PHILADELPHIA  AS  A  MANUFACTURING  CENTRK 


PHILADELPHIA  is  a  scriptural  name,  composed  of  twc 
Greek  words,  which  signify,  as  usually  interpreted, 
brotherly  love.  St.  John,  as  we  are  informed  in  the  Reve- 
lations, was  instructed  to  indite  a  consolatory  epistle  to 
"the  church  in  Philadelphia,"  a  city  of  Asia  Minor,  about 
seventy-two  miles  from  Smyrna.  The  Philadelphia  of 
which  we  write  is  a  namesake  of  the  biblical  city ;  and 
though  not  very  ancient,  is  yet  a  cotemporary  with  most  of 
the  important  events  in  American  history.  It  was  founded 
in  1682-3,  by  "William  Penn,  who  with  a  colony  of  En- 
glish Friends  or  Quakers,  had  come  to  America  to  settle 
a  province  or  tract  of  land  granted  to  him  by  Charles  II., 
in  payment  of  a  debt  due  by  the  government  to  his 
father.  Before  attempting  any  overt  acts  of  sovereignty, 
however,  Penn  was  wisely  "  moved"  to  acknowledge  and 
purchase  the  rights  of  the  aborigines,  and  thus,  as  Ray- 
nal  has  remarked,  signalized  his  arrival  by  an  act  of 
equity,  which  made  his  person  and  his  principles  equally 
beloved.  He  also  promulgated  a  series  of  laws,  in  which 
Liberty  of  Conscience  was  the  first  in  order  and  importance. 
"A  plantation  reared  on  such  a  seed-plot,"  says  Chalmers, 
"could  not  fail  to  grow  with  rapidity,  to  advance  to 
maturity,  to  attract  notice  of  the  world." 

The  site  chosen  for  the  proposed  city  was  a  nearly  level 
3*  (49) 


50  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

plain  between  the  Delaware  and  Schuylkill  rivers,  about 
six  miles  above  their  junction,  and  sixty  miles  from  the 
ocean,  by  a  direct  line,  though  nearly  a  hundred  miles  by 
the  course  of  the  river.  The  influences  that  determined 
Penn  in  his  choice  of  the  spot  are  said  to  have  been  "the 
approach  of  the  two  rivers;  the  short  distance  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Schuylkill ;  the  depth  of  the  Delaware ;  the 
land  heavily  timbered ;  the  existence  of  a  stratum  of 
brick  clay  on  the  spot,  and  immense  quarries  of  building 
stone  in  the  vicinity."  In  drafting  the  plan  of  his  Ame- 
rican city,  Penn  is  supposed  to  have  had  in  view  the 
celebrated  city  of  Babylon,  which  he  certainly  imitated 
in  the  regularity  of  the  streets,  and  which  he  seemed 
desirous  to  emulate  in  size,  for  he  gave  orders  to  his 
commissioners  to  lay  out  a  town  that  would  have  covered 
an  area  of  8000  acres.  It  was  found,  however,  that 
"  hundred-acre  lots,"  which  some  of  the  squatter-sover- 
eigns secured,  would  never  answer  the  end  of  a  city  in  a 
new  country,  and  the  plan  was  subsequently  reduced.  In 
1701  it  was  again  contracted,  when  the  city  was  declared 
to  be  bounded  by  the  "  two  rivers  Delaware  and  Schuyl- 
kill, and  Vine  and  Cedar  streets  as  north  and  south 
boundaries."  These  continued  to  be  the  corporate  limits  of 
the  city  until  1854 — the  suburbs,  as  population  extended, 
being  divided  into  districts,  as  Spring  Garden,  Northern 
Liberties,  Kensington,  Southwark,  Moyamensing  and 
West  Philadelphia,  which  in  1850  contained  nearly  twice 
as  many  inhabitants  as  the  city  proper. 

The  events  in  the  early  history  of  the  town,  prior  to 
the  Revolution,  are  not  very  striking.  We  subjoin  a 
summary  of  the  most  important,  as  far  as  possible,  in 
their  chronological  order.  In  1687  a  printing-press,  the 
second  in  America,  was  set  up  ;  in  1689  Penn  established 
a  public  High  School  with  a  charter.  In  1742  Franklin 
projected  an  Academy  and  Free  School,  which  became 


IMPORTANT    EVENTS.  51 

presently  a  College,  and  finally  the  "University  of  Penn- 
sylvania." In  1765,  the  merchants  of  Philadelphia, 
in  consequence  of  various  restrictive  and  ill-advised 
Acts,  particularly  the  Stamp  Act,  passed  by  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  pledged  their  word  of  honor  not 
to  order  nor  sell  on  commission  any  goods  from  Great 
Britain,  except  certain  articles,  more  particularly  those 
necessary  for  carrying  on  Manufactures,  "unless  the 
Stamp  Act  be  repealed."  In  1774  the  first  Congress  in 
America  assembled  in  Carpenters'  Hall,  (a  building  still 
standing  in  a  court  back  of  Chestnut  street,  between  Third 
and  Fourth  streets,)  to  take  into  consideration  the  state 
of  our  relations  with  the  mother  country.  In  this  city  was 
adopted  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  which  was  read 
from  a  stand  in  the  State  House  yard,  by  Captain  John 
Hopkins,  July  4,  1776.  From  September,  1777  to  June, 
1778,  in  consequence  of  the  disastrous  battles  of  Brandy- 
wine  and  Germantown,  the  British  army  had  possession 
of  the  city.  The  Convention  that  framed  the  present 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  met  in  Philadelphia, 
May,  1787.  Here  George  Washington,  when  President 
of  the  United  States,  resided,  in  a  building  on  the  south 
side  of  Market  street,  between  Fifth  and  Sixth,  the  lot 
being  now  occupied  by  a  palatial  business  edifice,  widely 
known  as  "  Bennett's  Tower  Hall  Clothing  Store." 

The  first  bank  established  in  the  United  States  was 
the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  opened  at  Philadelphia  on  the 
17th  of  July,  1780,  with  a  capital  of  £300,000,  its  special 
object  being  to  supply  the  American  army  with  provi- 
sions. In  1782  the  Bank  of  North  America  went  into 
operation  ;  and  in  1791  the  United  States  Bank.  In  1792 
Congress  passed  an  act  establishing  "a  Mint  for  the  pur- 
pose of  a  National  coinage,"  to  be  situate  and  carried  on 
at  the  Seat  of  Government  of  the  United  States  for  the 
time  being,  which  was  then  at  Philadelphia.  In  1793, 


52  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

coinage  was  commenced  in  a  building  on  Seventh  street, 
opposite  Zane,  still  known  as  the  "  Old  Mint,"  and  con- 
tinued there  until  1833,  when  the  present  noble  edifice  at 
the  north-west  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Juniper  streets 
was  completed.* 

In  the  autumn  of  1793  the  yellow  fever  visited  Phila- 
delphia, and  carried  off  more  than  4000  persons,  out  of  a 
population  of  a  little  over  40,000,  of  whom  half,  it  was 
thought,  had  fled  the  city.  The  pestilence  visited  the 
city  again  in  1798,  but  was  not  so  fatal  as  in  1793.  The 
wars  commenced  by  France  in  1792  with  other  European 
powers,  and  which  were  continued  until  the  abdication  of 
Napoleon  in  1814,  had  an  immense  influence  in  develop- 
ing American  Commerce,  and  Pennsylvania  shared  largely 
in  this  prosperity.  Large  importations  were  made  from 
China  and  India  into  Philadelphia,  for  re-exportation  to 
European  markets.  Our  ships  then  enjoyed  the  carrying 
trade  of  the  world,  and  numbers  of  our  citizens  accumu- 
lated large  fortunes. 

In  January,  1801,  Philadelphia  was  supplied  for  the 
first  time  with  water  from  Water  Works  erected 
according  to  a  plan  proposed  by  Mr.  Latrobe,  viz.  "  to 
make  a  reservoir  upon  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  to 
throw  up  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water  into  a  tunnel,  and 
to  carry  it  thence  to  a  reservoir  in  Centre  Square ;  and 
after  being  raised  there,  to  distribute  it  throughout  the 
city  by  pipes."  These  works  were  superceded  by  the 

•Since  its  establishment  in  1793,  to  the  close  of  the  year  1856,  the  Mint  at 
Philadelphia  coined  525,636,141  pieces,  of  the  value  of  $391,730,57186; 
the  gold  coinage  being  $306,445,97078,  the  silver  coinage  $83,685,297  99, 
and  copper  coinage  $1,599,30309.  The  entire  coinage  of  the  United 
States  to  the  same  period  was  $563,433,70812. 

The  present  officers  of  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia,  are: — Director,  James 
Ross  Snowden  ;  Treasurer,  Daniel  Sturgeon ;  Chief  Coiner,  George  K. 
Childs ;  Melter  and  Refiner,  James  C.  Booth  :  Engraver,  James  B.  Long- 
acre;  Atsnyer,  Jacob  R.  Eckfeldt;  Assistant  Assayer,  William  E.  DuBoia. 


MANUFACTURES   IN   1811.  53 

present  works  erected  at  Fairraount,  which  we  will  sub- 
sequently notice. 

In  1811,  Dr.  James  Mease  published  a  book  which  he 
entitled  "A  Picture  of  Philadelphia."  At  that  time 
Philadelphia  was  the  most  populous  city  in  the  Union. 
From  an  enumeration  made  the  previous  year,  it  appears 
that  the  number  of  dwelling-houses  in  the  city  and  dis- 
tricts, was  15,814,  and  the  population  of  the  city  and 
county  amounted  to  111,210.  The  population  of  the 
whole  of  Manhattan  Island,  at  the  same  period,  embracing 
the  city  of  New  York,  was  96,372.  Philadelphia  then,  as 
now,  was  the  most  healthy  city  in  the  Union.  The 
average  of  deaths  per  day,  in  Philadelphia,  was  5§, 
whereas  in  New  York,  with  a  smaller  population,  it  was 
6|.  "We  subjoin  Dr.  Mease's  remarks  on  the  Manufac- 
tures, from  which  it  will  be  perceived  that  Philadelphia 
was  already  celebrated  in  various  departments  of  Manu- 
facturing industry. 

"The  various  coarser  metallic  articles,  which  enter  so  largely  into 
the  wants  and  business  of  mankind,  are  manufactured  to  a  great  extent, 
in  a  variety  of  forms,  and  in  a  substantial  manner.  All  the  various 
edged  tools  for  mechanics  are  extensively  made  :  and  it  may  be  men- 
tioned as  a  fact  calculated  to  excite  surprise,  that  our  common  screw 
auger,  an  old  and  extensively  used  instrument,  has  been  recently  an- 
nounced in  the  British  publications,  as  a  capital  improvement  in 
mechanics,  as  it  certainly  is,  and  that  all  attempts  by  foreign  artists  to 
make  this  instrument  durable,  have  failed. 

"  The  finer  kinds  of  metals  are  wrought  with  neatness  and  taste.  The 
numerous  varieties  of  tin  ware  in  particular,  may  be  mentioned  as  wor- 
thy of  attention.  But  above  all,  the  working  of  the  precious  metals 
has  reached  a  degree  of  perfection  highly  creditable  to  the  artists. 
Silver  plate  fully  equal  to  sterling,  as  to  quality  and  execution,  is  now 
made,  and  the  plated  wares  are  superior  to  those  commonly  imported  in 
the  way  of  trade.  Floor-cloths  of  great  variety  of  patterns,  without 
seams,  and  the  colors  bright,  hard  and  durable  ;  various  printed  cotton 
stuffs,  warranted  fast  colors  ;  earthenware,  yellow  and  red,  and  stone 
ware  are  extensively  made  ;  experiments  show  that  ware  equal  to  that 


54  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

of  Staffordshire  might  be  manufactured,  if  workmen  could  be  pro- 
cured. 

"  The  supply  of  excellent  patent  shot  is  greater  than  the  demand.  All 
the  chemical  drugs,  and  mineral  acids  of  superior  quality,  are  made  by 
several  persons  :  also  cards,  carding  and  spinning-machines  for  Cotton, 
Flax,  and  Wool.  Woolen,  worsted,  and  thread  hosiery  have  long 
given  employment  to  our  German  citizens  :  and  recently,  cotton 
stockings  have  been  extensively  made. 

"  Paints  of  twenty-two  different  colors,  brilliant  and  durable,  are  in 
common  use,  from  native  materials  ;  the  supply  of  which  is  inexhausti- 
ble. The  chromate  of  lead,  that  superb  yellow  color,  is  scarcely  equaled 
by  any  foreign  paint.  There  are  fifteen  rope-walks  in  our  vicinity. 
We  no  longer  depend  upon  Europe  for  excellent  and  handsome  paper 
hangings,  or  pasteboard,  or  paper  of  any  kind.  The  innumerable  arti- 
cles into  which  leather  enters  are  neatly  and  substantially  made  :  the 
article  saddlery  forms  an  immense  item  in  the  list.  The  leather  has 
greatly  improved  in  quality;  the  exportation  of  boots  and  shoes  to  the 
Southern  States  is  great ;  and  to  the  West  Indies,  before  the  interrup- 
tiou  to  trade,  was  immense.  Morocco  leather  is  extensively  manufac- 
tured. The  superiority  of  the  carriages,  either  as  respects  excellence 
of  workmanship,  fashion,  or  finish,  has  long  been  acknowledged.  The 
type-foundry  of  Binney  &  Ronaldson  supplies  nearly  all  the  numerous 
printing-offices  in  the  United  States.  There  are  one  hundred  and  two 
hatters  in  the  City  and  Liberties.  Tobacco,  in  every  form,  gives  employ 
to  an  immense  capital.  The  refined  sugar  of  Philadelphia  has  long 
been  celebrated :  ten  refineries  are  constantly  at  work.  Excellent 
japanned  and  pewter  ware:  muskets,  rifles,  fowling-pieces  and  pistols 
are  made  with  great  neatness.  The  cabinet-ware  is  elegant,  and  with 
the  manufacture  of  wood  generally,  is  very  extensive.  The  houses  are 
ornamented  with  marbles  of  various  hues  and  qualities,  from  the  quar- 
ries near  Philadelphia. 

"  Mars  Works,  at  the  corner  of  Ninth  and  Vine  streets,  and  on  the 
Ridge  road,  the  property  of  Oliver  Evans,  consists  of  an  iron  foundry, 
mould-maker's  shop,  steam-engine  manufactory,  blacksmith's  shop, 
and  mill-stone  manufactory,  and  a  steam-engine  used  for  grinding  sun- 
dry materials  for  the  use  of  the  works,  and  for  turning  and  boring 
heavy  cast  and  wrought  iron  work.  The  buildings  occupy  one  hundred 
and  eighty-eight  feet  front,  and  about  thirty-five  workmen  are  daily  em- 
ployed. They  manufacture  all  cast  or  wrought-iron  work  for  machinery 
for  mills,  for  grinding  grain  or  sawing  timber ;  for  forges,  rolling  and 
slitting-mills,  sugar-mills,  apple-mills,  bark-mills,  &c.  Pans  of  all 
dimensions  used  by  sugar-boilers,  soap-boilers,  &c.  Screws  of  all  sizes 


FAIRMOUNT   WATER   WORKS.  55 

or  cotton-presses,  tobacco-presses,  paper-presses,  cast  iron  gudgeons, 
and  boxes  for  mills  and  wagons,  carriage-boxes,  &c.,  and  all  kinds  of 
small  wheels  and  machinery  for  Cotton  and  Wool  spinning,  &c.  Mr. 
Evans  also  makes  steam-engines  on  improved  principles,  IL  rented  and 
patented  by  the  proprietor,  which  are  more  powerful  and  less  compli- 
cated, and  cheaper  than  others  ;  requiring  less  fuel,  and  not  more  than 
one-fiftieth  part  of  the  coals  commonly  used.  The  small  one  in  use  at 
the  works  is  on  this  improved  principle,  and  is  of  great  use  in  facilitat- 
ing the  manufacture  of  others.  The  proprietor  has  erected  one  of  his 
improved  steam-engines  in  the  town  of  Pittsburg,  and  employed  to 
drive  three  pair  of  large  millstones  with  all  the  machinery  for  cleaning 
the  grain,  elevating,  spreading,  and  stirring  and  cooling  the  meal, 
gathering  and  bolting,  <fcc.,  <fcc.  The  power  is  equal  to  twenty-four 
horses,  and  will  do  as  much  work  as  seventy-two  horses  in  twenty-four 
hours :  it  would  drive  five  pair  of  six-feet  millstones,  and  grind  five 
hundred  bushels  of  wheat  in  twenty-four  hours. 

"  All  kinds  of  castings  are  also  made  at  the  Eagle  "Works,  on  Schuyl- 
kill,  belonging  to  S.  &  W.  Bichards." 

In  1812,  Steam  works  for  supplying  the  city  with  water 
were  commenced  at  Fairmount,  and  in  1815  the  use  of 
the  Centre  Square  Works  was  discontinued.  In  1819, 
Councils  resolved  to  erect  the  present  Water-power  Works, 
which  for  a  long  time  were  the  only  works  of  the  kind 
in  the  United  States,  and  which  are  yet  unsurpassed  by 
any  in  the  whole  country.  The  water  from  the  Schuylkill 
is  turned  into  a  forebay  419  feet  long  and  90  feet  wide  ; 
whence  it  falls  upon  and  turns  eight  wheels,  from  sixteen 
to  eighteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  one  turbine  wheel,  each 
having  its  separate  pump,  and  which  elevate  the  water  nine- 
ty-two feet  to  the  top  of  a  partly  natural  elevation,  imme- 
diately at  the  works,  and  which  give  them  their  name. 
The  reservoirs  of  these  works,  including  the  new  one  ou 
Corinthian  Avenue,  furnish  storage  to  the  amount  of 
57,642,787  gallons.  This  is  about  equal  to  five  days'  supply 
in  July  and  August.  The  total  cost,  including  laying 
pipes,  &c.,  to  the  present  time,  is  about  §3,500,000.* 

*  In  addition  to  the  Works  at  Fairmount,  Philadelphia  has,  at  tho  present 


56  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

In  1829  the  Pennsylvania  Canal  was  completed,  which, 
with  the  Schuylkill  and  Union  Canals,  previously  con- 
structed^ formed  a  connection  with  the  Ohio  River,  via 
Heading  and  Middletown. 

In  December,  1831,  Stephen  Girard,  "Mariner  and 
Merchant,"  died  worth  nearly  $10,000,000,  and  bequeath- 
ed by  his  Will  large  sums  to  public  uses,  among  others 
the  sum  of  $2,000,000  for  the  erection  of  a  College,  now 
known  as  the  Girard  College.  In  1835  Philadelphia  was 
first  supplied  with  gas  from  Works  erected  on  Market 
street,  near  the  Schuylkill.*  In  the  same  year  a  part  of 
the  Reading  Railroad,  to  connect  Philadelphia  with  the 
Schuylkill  coal  region,  was  put  under  contract,  and  in 
1842  the  first  train  passed  over  the  whole  line  between 
Pottsville  and  Philadelphia.  In  1837  the  Philadelphia, 
Wilmington  and  Baltimore  Railroad  was  completed.  In 
1838  the  city  was  disgraced  for  the  first  time  by  a  mob 

time,  three  other  Water  Works,  viz.  Schuylkill  Works,  Delaware  Works,  and 
Twenty-fourth  Ward  Works.  The  total  amount  of  water  supplied  by  all 
these  Works,  in  1856,  was  5,735,938,966  wine  gallons.  The  Duplicates  of 
the  Water  rents  for  the  same  year  amounted  to  $359,906  08. 

•  Since  that  period  the  Northern  Districts  and  Gennantown  erected  Gas 
Works ;  and  in  1854  the  city  completed  new  and  additional  works  near  Gray's 
Ferry  Bridge,  having  the  largest  gasholder,  it  is  believed,  in  the  United 
States,  being  160  feet  in  diameter  and  90  feet  high,  and  capable  of  hold- 
ing 1,800,000  cubic  feet  of  gas.  The  cost  of  the  whole  now  belonging  to 
the  City  Gas  Trust,  is  about  $2,600,000.  We  are  furnished  by  John  0. 
Cresson,  Esq.,  who  has  been  Engineer  of  the  City  Gas  Works  since  1836, 
with  the  following  statistics : 

Street  mains  laid  to  January  1,  1858,  ...         214J  miles. 

Service  pipes,         "         "          '•'_]     •.       ^      "i    '     -          74         " 
No.  of  Services  and  Meters  in  use,      -:'    ''•'        -         -  25,180 

"       Lights  in  use,  (private,)        <!»><•:  ••.*.        -         -  332,487 

"  "  "     (public,) 3,810 

Gas  made  in  1857,      .....         409,067,000  cubic  feet. 
Total,  made  in  21  years,     ....     3,198,088,000     "        " 
Present  manufacturing  capacity,  1857,  2J  million  feet  per  diem. 


CENSUS  or  1850.  57 

that  burned  the  Pennsylvania  Hall,  fired  the  Shelter  for 
Colored  Orphans,  and  attacked  the  negro  quarters.  In 
1844  the  city  was  again  disquieted  by  riots  incited  by  the 
presumed  interference  of  Catholics  with  the  elective 
franchise,  and  several  Catholic  churches  were  burned. 
In  1847,  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  to  connect  Philadel- 
phia with  the  Ohio  River,  was  commenced,  and  finally 
completed  in  1854.  In  1850  a  census  was  taken,  which 
showed  that  Philadelphia  contained  23,601  more  dwell- 
ings than  the  city  of  New  York,  and  a  population  of 
408,762,  being  an  increase  of  58J  per  cent,  in  the  ten 
years  preceding  the  census  of  1850,  and  953J  per  cent,  in 
the  sixty  years  since  the  first  National  census.  Of  the 
population  of  1850,  17,500  were  born  in  England; 
72,312  in  Ireland ;  22,750  in  Germany ;  3,291  in  Scot- 
land ;  and  1,981  in  France.  Total  foreign,  121,699. 

In  1854  the  corporate  limits  of  the  city  were  made  co- 
extensive with  those  of  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  cover- 
ing an  area  of  120  square  miles,  and  placing  the  villages 
and  towns  of  Bridesburg,  Frankford,  Holmesburg,  By- 
berry,  Nicetown,  Andalusia,  Bustleton,  Rising  Sun, 
Milestown,  Germantown,  Chestnut  Hill,  Falls,  Mana- 
yunk,  Roxborough,  West  Philadelphia,  Mantua,  Had- 
dington,  and  Hamilton,  under  the  wise  guardianship  of 
a  Metropolitan  Mayor  and  City  Councils,  sans  peur  et 
sans  reproche. 

These,  we  believe,  may  be  called  the  most  important 
events  in  the  Annals  of  Philadelphia.  In  the  history  of  a 
place  whose  "birth  and  spring-time"  carry  us  back  nearly 
a  century  anterior  to  the  American  Revolution,  there  are 
necessarily  many  events  of  greater  or  less  importance 
that  deserve  to  be  commemorated.  No  city  of  equal  age 
can  present  a  fairer  or  more  interesting  record  of  the 
past  than  Philadelphia  ;  none  has  been  more  prolific  in 
4 


58  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

men  who  have  been  eminent  in  their  day  and  generation; 
and  not  one  has  been  so  fortunate  in  inspiring  that  speciea 
of  affection  which  manifests  itself  in  culling  and  preserv- 
ing, as  a  labor  of  love,  the  features  and  memorials  of  a 
time  gone  by.  John  F.  Watson,  in  his  "  Annals,"  has  done 
all  that  can  be  desired  to  preserve  the  lineaments  and 
characteristics  of  what  maybe  called  the  "olden  time" 
of  Philadelphia ;  and  our  Historical  and  Philosophical 
Societies  have  accumulated  papers  and  disquisitions  upon 
every  conceivable  subject  pertaining  thereto.  Truly,  if 
the  prosperity  of  a  city  be  promoted  in  proportion  to  the 
affectionate  attachment  of  its  inhabitants — a  feeling,  as 
Everett  has  observed,  entitled  to  respect,  and  productive 
of  good,  even  if  it  may  sometimes  seem  to  strangers 
over-partial  in  its  manifestations — the  citizens  of  Phila- 
delphia may  repeat,  with  confidence,  the  poetical  predic- 
tion of  Taylor,  the  astrological  Hague  of  the  eighteenth 

century : — 

"  A  city  built  'neath  such  propitious  rays 
Will  stand  to  see  old  walls  and  happy  days." 

The  Past  of  this  city,  therefore,  has  been  well  cared  for ; 
its  historical  incidents  are  preserved  in  its  own  and  in  the 
records  of  our  country;  the  fame  of  its  great  men  will 
survive  "fresh  in  eternal  youth";  and  neophytes  in 
Archaeology  may  well  despair  unless  they  devote  atten- 
tion to  its  Present,  which,  with  its  material  progress,  its 
advance,  especially  in  Manufactures,  its  Railroads  and 
its  Fire  and  Police  Telegraphs,  would  at  any  time  form 
a,  theme  sufficiently  comprehensive  in  itself  to  exclude 
any  minute  reference  to  the  events  of  the  past. 

I.  Philadelphia  as  it  is. 

PHILADELPHIA  is  usually  described  as  the  second  city 
in  the  United  States ;  and,  if  we  except  Paris,  nearly 
equals  the  largest  capitals  on  the  continent  of  Europe 


PHILADELPHIA   AS    IT   IS.  59 

in  population.  No  census  has  been  taken  since  1850 ; 
but  assuming  that  the  increase  has  been  in  the  same 
ratio  as  that  which  distinguished  the  ten  years  preceding 
the  last  national  census,  its  present  population  cannot  be 
far  short  of  600,000.  Its  entire  length,  as  per  Ellet's 
Survey,  is  twenty -three  miles,  and  average  breadth  five  and 
a  half  miles  ;  area,  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  and  one 
eighth  square  miles,  or  82,700  acres.  The  densely  in- 
habited portion  of  Philadelphia  extends  about  four  miles 
on  the  Delaware,  from  Southwark  north  to  Bichmoml, 
formerly  Port  Richmond,  and  two  and  a  half  miles  on  the 
Schuylkill,  having  a  breadth  between  the  two  rivers, 
assuming  South  street  formerly  the  Southern  boundary 
of  the  city  to  be  the  standard,  of  12,098  feet  3  inches. 
The  plan  of  regularity  in  the  streets, — originally  adopted 
by  Penn,  and  which,  though  condemned  by  some  trav- 
elers accustomed  to  the  crooked  and  narrow  streets  of 
European  capitals,  has  been  unqualifiedly  approved  by 
mathematical  and  scientific  minds, — is  adhered  to ;  and  in 
the  northern  as  well  as  the  central  parts  of  the  city,  there 
are  avenues  and  streets  which,  for  spaciousness  and  ele- 
gance, are  unsurpassed  by  any.  The  elegance  of  the 
public  buildings  has  long  been  a  subject  of  remark,  even 
in  primary  geographies ;  but,  within  the  last  few  years,  the 
architectural  beauties  of  the  city  have  been  vastly  en- 
hanced by  the  erection  of  numerous  costly  private  build- 
ings: banks,  stores,  churches,  dwellings — of  granite,  iron, 
sandstone,  and  marble ;  and  its  upward  growth,  by  the 
addition  of  stories  upon  stories,  is  not  lees  remarkable. 
Beyond  the  compact  or  densely  built-up  portions,  in 
the  northerly  direction,  there  is  a  wide  expanding  district 
between  the  two  rivers,  occupied  in  part  by  beautiful 
suburban  residences,  and  by  numerous  Manufactories, 
surrounded  by  the  habitations  of  industrious  and  con- 
tented artisans.  The  vicinity  of  Germantown  is  espe- 


60  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

cially  noted  for  the  number  of  elegant  cottages  and 
villas,  surrounded  by  handsomely  laid  out  grounds,  de- 
lightfully shaded  ;  while  the  beauties  of  the  Wissahickon, 
have  they  not  inspired  poets?  But  the  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia, though  appreciating  her  elegance  in  architecture,  and 
scenes  of  natural  beauty,  cherish  them  less  fondly,  and 
point  to  them  with  less  pride,  than  to  the  number  and  supe- 
riority of  her  charitable  institutions,  the  excellence  of  her 
schools,  the  refinements  of  her  society,  her  eminence  in 
the  Fine  and  the  Mechanical  Arts,  the  multiplied  conve- 
niences of  life,  promoting  domestic  comfort,  and  the  ce- 
lebrity of  her  Forum  and  Medical  Schools,  which,  like 
the  works  of  the  Athenian  orators,  are  regarded  with 
veneration  and  respect  by  every  polished  nation. 

Upon  the  minds  of  strangers  and  tourists,  however, 
the  external  aspect  of  a  city  seems  to  leave  the  most  per- 
manent impressions ;  and  if  we  may  judge  from  their 
written  opinions,  that  of  Philadelphia  has  charmed  those 
who  charm  the  world.  The  learned  and  philosophical  au- 
thor of  Mademoiselle  Rachel's  tour  in  America,  was  saga- 
cious enough  to  remark — and  in  one  so  courteous,  a  trifling 
geographical  inaccuracy  can  readily  be  pardoned — that 
"  the  capital  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Quaker  city  as  it  is  called, 
is  one  of  the  richest,  handsomest,  and  most  flourishing 
cities  in  the  United  States  of  America."  This  is  much 
from  a  gentleman  who  thanked  God  that  he  had  visited 
North  America,  "  because  it  is  a  duty  disposed  of,"  and 
he  would  never  have  to  return  there ;  but  he  proceeds 
to  add :  "  Fortunately,  it  is  superb  weather  here,  and  we 
can  see  this  elegant  capital  at  our  ease.  All  the  houses 
have  a  flaunting,  coquettish  air,  which  is  pleasant  to  see. 
The  streets  are  broad  and  clean.  The  shops  are  gene 
rally  very  large  and  very  rich.  There  are  superb  goods 
in  them.  In  fact,  this  city  has  a  happy  physiognomy, 
which  is  very  agreeable."  The  ladies,  especially  the 


PHILADELPHIA    AS   IT   IS.  61 

Fannies,  it  is  consoling  to  reflect,  have  also  found  much 
to  delight  them.  Fanny  Kemble  was  enraptured,  we  be- 
lieve enchanted  by  the  appearance  of  Fairmount,  by 
moonlight;  and  Fanny  Fern  went  off  like  an  alarum 
clock  at  the  beauties,  and  particularly  the  butter  of  Phil- 
adelphia. None,  however,  have  expressed  their  admira- 
tion more  gravely,  deliberately,  and  ornately,  than  the 
writer  of  the  following: 

"Few  great  cities  present  such  attractions  for  the  stranger,  as  the 
city  of  '  Brotherly  Love.'  The  American  is  proud  that  here  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  signed  ;  and  his  patriotic  heart  swells 
with  a  nobler  emotion,  while  he  looks  upon  the  bell  that  pealed  forth 
the  joy  of  a  nation's  deliverance  ;  and  his  heroic  spirit  will  be  stirred 
within  him  as  he  sits  on  the  chair  on  which  once  sat  the  Father  of  his 
Country,  yet,  with  many  a  relic  of  the  past,  preserved  in  Independence 
Hall.  The  philanthropist  feels  his  heart  throb  with  pleasure  as  he 
views  the  many  noble  institutions  that  a  munificent  charity  has 
erected  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  suffering  humanity,  supply 
the  wants  of  the  poor,  minister  to  miuds  diseased,  and  alleviate 
the  sufferings  of  the  sick  and  wounded.  The  lover  of  science 
rejoices  to  see  the  city  of  Franklin  abounding  in  Institutes  whose 
object  is  the  cultivation  of  all  the  arts  that  adorn,  and  all  the 
sciences  that  tend  to  the  progress  of  mankind.  The  philosopher  will 
find  kindred  spirits  in  the  great  centre  from  which  the  rays  of  intellect 
emanate,  whose  brightness  appears  as  a  star  of  glory  to  the  nation  and 
the  world.  Medical  students  resort  to  Philadelphia  for  their  profes- 
sional training;  the  young  aspirant  to  forensic  honors  seeks  her  classic 
shades ;  and  while  the  admirer  of  the  beautiful  in  architecture,  and  the 
architect,  may  exult  in  the  stately  proportions  of  her  solemn  temples, 
her  gorgeous  palaces,  and  the  genius  that  adorned  her  with  edifices 
whose  beauty  might  vie  with  the  Grecian  models,  the  true  Christian 
will  find  that  the  piety  that  erected  the  ancient  church  of  Gloria  Dei  in 
the  city's  infancy,  has  diffused  itself,  and  kept  pace  with  its  rapid  in- 
crease. The  merchant  from  other  cities  may  look  with  wonder  upon 
the  commercial  facilities  of  Philadelphia,  her  double  port,  the  rich 
mineral  treasures  poured  into  her  lap  from  the  exhaustless  resources 
of  the  Commonwealth,  and  the  resources  that  put  the  numerous 
wheels  of  manufacturing  industry  in  motion,  and  send  the  products  of 
her  skill,  the  results  of  her  commerce,  ami  the  proceeds  of  her  inland 
trade,  to  the  furthest  regions  oi'  the  West,  and  almost  all  points  of  the 
4* 


62  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

compass.  Her  great  Railway  system,  the  most  complete  in  the  coun- 
try, makes  her  pre-eminent  for  all  the  facilities  of  business,  giving  her  a 
great  advantage  over  all  other  cities  in  the  Union.  The  exceeding 
beauty  of  her  location,  and  the  lovely  scenery  of  the  surrounding 
country,  make  her  the  resort  of  many  who  delight  in  beholding  the  fair 
face  of  Nature,  seldom  so  full  of  beauty  as  in  some  portions  of  her 
enchanting  rural  scenery." 

Such  is  Philadelphia  as  it  appears  to  the  optics  of 
intelligent  strangers.  Such  may  it  ever  appear.  If,  how- 
ever, a  statistical  description  were  wanted  to  convey  a 
clearer  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  the  city,  we  might 
say  that  Philadelphia  is  a  collection  of  nearly  100,000 
dwellings,  Shops,  and  Manufactories,  7,404  Stores,  299 
Churches,*  304  School-houses,  18  Banks,  11  Market-houses, 
8  Medical  Schools,  1  High  School,  1  Girard  College,  1 

•  The  Directory  assigns  these  churches  to  the  different  denominations,  as 
follows:  to  Protestant  Episcopal,  53;  Methodist  Episcopal,  42 ;  Methodist 
Protestant,  4;  Baptist,  30;  Presbyterian,  44 ;  Associate  Presbyterian,  f> ;  As- 
sociate Reformed  Presbyterian,  3  ;  Reformed  Presbyterian,  9 :  Catholic,  28  ; 
Lutheran,  15;  Friends,  13;  Dutch  Reformed,  4  ;  German  Reformed,  6  ;  Jews' 
Synagogues,  6;  Mariners',  2;  Evangelical  Association,  2;  Universalist,  3; 
Independent,  2  ;  New  Jerusalem,  3 ;  Unitnrian,  Second  Advent,  Moravian,  Dis- 
ciples of  Christ,  Christian,  and  Bible  Christian,  each  1.  The  colored  churches 
are  ns  follows:  Methodist,  11  ;  Presbyterian,  3  ;  Baptist,  4  ;  and  Protestant 
Episcopal,  1.  Several  of  the  church  buildings  are  beautiful  specimens  of  ar- 
chitecture. The  ST.  MARK'S,  (Episcopal),  on  Locust,  above  Sixteenth,  cost, 
•we  believe,  $120,000.  The  CALVARY  CHUKCH,  (Presbyterian),  Locust, 
above  Fifteenth,  and  another  at  Seventeenth  and  Spruce  streets,  are  also 
elegant  structures.  The  Baptist  Church,  at  Broad  and  Arch  streets,  has  a 
steeple  that  cost  about  $16,000.  The  Catholics  are  now  erecting,  on 
I'.ighteenth  street,  opposite  Logan  Square,  the  CATHEDRAL  of  St.  Peter  and 
St.  Paul,  which,  when  completed,  will  cost  more  than  half  a  million  of  dol- 
lars, and  will  be  one  of  the  most  magnificent  church-edifices  in  the  coun- 
try. The  St.  John's  Church,  (Catholic),  Thirteenth  near  Market,  is  a  fine 
Gothic  structure,  with  a  square  tower  on  each  of  its  front  corners.  The 
interior  has  some  handsome  paintings,  and  the  windows  are  ornamented. 
St.  Stephen's  Church,  (Episcopal),  Tenth,  between  Market  and  Chestnut  sts., 
is  a  "fine  Gothic  edifice,  102  feet  long,  50  wide,  having  two  towers  at  the 
front  corners,  octagonal,  and  86  feet  in  height."  This  church  contains  the 
celebrated  Monument  to  theBusD  family,  an  object  of  considerable  interest. 
Christ  Church,  in  Second  street,  below  Arch,  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  city, 
having  been  built  in  1691,  and  enlarged  in  1710.  The  spire  was  begun  in 


PHILADELPHIA   AS   IT   IS.  63 

Polytechnic  College,  1  State  House,  1  Custom  House,  1 
Exchange,  1  Mint,  1  Navy  Yard,  1  Naval  Asylum,  3 
Arsenals,  1  Blockley  Almshouse,*  2  Insane  Asylums,  1 
Pennsylvania  Institute  for  Deaf  and  Dumb,f  1  Blind 
Asylum,  1  Pennsylvania  Hospital, J  1  Academy  of  Music, 
1  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  1  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences, 
1  Athenaeum,  1  Club  House,  numerous  Libraries,  3 
Theatres,  1  Masonic  Hall,  15  Public  Halls,  7  Gas  Works, 
5  "Water  "Works,  1  County  Prison,  to  which  15,809  per- 
sons were  committed  during  1857  ;  2  Houses  of  Refuge, 
containing  451  hopefuls ;  1  Penitentiary,  where  376  per- 
sons now  chew  the  cud  of  reflection  in  silence  ;  about  350 
miles  of  cobble  Pavements,  500  miles  of  Foot  Pavements, 
5631  Gas  and  Fluid  Lamps,  9  Public  Squares,  14  Cemete- 
ries, 9  Railroad  Depots,  90  Fire  Engine-houses,  17  Station- 
houses,  3  Race  Courses,  besides  Hotels,  Restaurants,  Sav- 
ings Institutions,  Insurance  Companies,  Charitable  Institu- 
tions, Bridges,  Vessels  at  wharves,  Truck  and  other  Farms, 
inclusive,  "  too  numerous  to  mention."  A  statist,  prosecu- 

1753;  its  height  is  196  feet.  The  money  toward  its  completion  was  raised 
by  lottery.  This  church  has  a  chime  of  bells  brought  from  England.  The 
oldest  church  in  the  city,  however,  is  the  Gloria  Dei,  commonly  called 
"  Swedes  Church,"  on  Swanson  street,  near  the  Navy  Yard. 

*  The  Altmhouse  is  an  immense  structure,  situated  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Schuylkill,  opposite  South  street.  It  consists  of  four  main  buildings, 
fronting  on  the  Schuylkill,  covering  and  enclosing  ten  acres  of  ground.  The 
accommodations  are  excellent ;  and  besides  an  almshouse  capable  of  con- 
taining 3,000  persons,  there  is  an  Insane  Asylum,  in  which  there  are 
over  300  patients  of  both  sexes.  Visitors  admitted.  Well  worth  seeing. 

f  The  Pennsylvania  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  occupies  a  building 
having  a  front  of  200  feet  on  Broad  street,  and  running  back  on  Pine  street 
'235  feet.  Number  in  the  institution,  of  both  sexes,  about  100.  The  Blind 
Asylum,  situated  at  Race  and  Twentieth  streets,  is  also  a  very  useful  and  in- 
teresting institution. 

J  The  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  in  Pine  street,  from  Eighth  to  Ninth  streets, 
admits  patients  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  who  have  received  injury  within 
twenty-four  hours,  provided  they  belong  to  the  county.  It  possesses  an 
Anatomical  Museum,  a  valuable  Medical  Library  of  10,000  volumes,  and  a 
Painting,  by  West,  of  Christ  Healing  the  Sick,  presented  by  the  author. 


64  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

ting  his  researches  with  due  diligence,  might  ascertain  that 
this  wilderness  of  brick  and  mortar  is  inhabited  by  about 
600,000  persons,  white,  black,  mixed,  and  millionaires, 
including,  as  per  the  Directory  for  1858,  1160  Smiths,  540 
Browns,  480  Johnsons,  440  Joneses,  330  Thompsons,  their 
heirs  and  assigns,  and  1  George  Munday.  Further,  if  he  be 
curious  in  such  matters,  he  may  probably  discover  that 
this  people,  collectively,  "  are  well  to  do,"  owning  real  and 
personal  property  of  a  value  of  about  $450,000,000, 
though  assessed  for  much  less ;  that,  in  1857,  they  paid 
into  the  City  Treasury  $4,072,267,  besides  supporting 
about  600  lawyers,  1,000  physicians,  over  900  teachers, 
and  half  as  many  preachers  :  that  their  city  officials  com- 
prise, 1  Mayor,  1  City  Solicitor,  1  City  Controler,  1  Re- 
ceiver of  Taxes,  3  City  Commissioners,  1  City  Treasurer, 
1  Chief  Engineer  of  Water  Department,  1  Chief  Engi- 
neer of  Fire  Department,  1  Chief  Engineer  of  Gas  Works, 
1  Chief  Commissioner  of  Highways,  1  Commissioner  of 
City  Property,  1  Commissioner  of  Market-houses,  1  Chief 
Surveyor,  and  12  Regulators;  24  Select  Couucilmen,  with 
3  Officers,  and  89  Common  Councilmen,  with  5  Officers ; 
24  Members  of  a  Board  of  Health,  with  7  Officers,  and 
10  Executive  Officers ;  24  Guardians  of  the  Poor,  with 
7  Officers,  and  13  Out-door  Visitors ;  numerous  Assist- 
ants and  Clerks  in  each  Department  ;  that  their  Police 
force,  consists  of 

1  Mayor,  whose  salary  is        -        $3,500  per  annum. 

1  Mayor's  Clerk,    -•      *        .      ' .  •     .      1,000     " 
1  Chief  of  Police,       -    -'*     '  -  .  -  --^      1,500    "        " 
8  High  Constables,          each      J'f*':^  «i  M     700     "        " 
4  Special  Officers,  "  600     "         " 

1  Supt.  of  Fire  and  Police  Alarm  Telegraph,  1,200    "        " 
1  Assistant,  "  "  "      -         600     "         " 

16  Lieutenants,    each ....  650     "        " 

32  Sergeants,  "  600     "         " 

650  Policemen,         "    -        .        .        .  500    "        " 

Who  made,  in  1857,  21,537  arrests,  and  restored  3,430  lost  children. 


PHILADELPHIA   AS   IT   IS.  65 

And  notwithstanding  the  vast  expenditure  required  for 
public  purposes,  the  people  had  money  enough  left  to 
contribute  vast  sums  in  charity,  build  75  four-story  dwell- 
ings, 991  three-story  dwellings,  9  churches,  12  factories, 
and  4  school-houses ;  support  493  omnibuses,  pay  $500 
per  day  to  one  Passenger  Railway,  spend  about  $5,000  per 
night  in  public  amusements,  lager-beer  concerts,  &c. ; 
smoke  about  a  million  dollars  worth  of  cigars,  and  purchase 
$2,000,000  worth  of  oysters  ;  and  they  consumed,  among 
other  things,  60,425  beeves,  11,930  cows,  100,479  swine, 
303,900  sheep,  exclusive  of  meat  brought  in  market  wagons; 
and  drank  and  wasted  6,318,880,116  gallons  of  water. 

It  is  thus  evident  that  Philadelphia,  regarded  from 
every  point  of  view,  is  a  centre  of  Wealth  and  Popula- 
tion ;  and,  if  the  social  characteristics  of  its  inhabitants 
correspond  with  its  external  allurements,  it  must  be  an 
attractive  centre.  What,  then,  are  their  characteristics,  par- 
ticularly with  reference  to  the  social  position  of  the  Mechanic 
and  the  Artisan  f  What  facilities  are  provided  for  their 
physical  comfort  and  intellectual  advancement  ?  In  the 
first  place,  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  who  now  give 
tone  and  direction  to  its  popular  sentiment,  it  may  be 
relied  upon,  are  far  too  clear-headed  and  practical  in 
their  views  to  do  any  thing  tending  to  degrade  labor  and 
check  useful  enterprise.  Even  among  the  numerous  sets 
of  exclusives  into  which  the  descendants  of  great  people 
sometimes  divide  themselves,  there  are  none  that  I  have 
heard  of  in  this  city  who  make  idleness  the  "open  sesame" 
to  the  enjoyments  of  their  society.  Nearly  every  citi- 
zen has  some  regular  occupation ;  and  prides  himself 
upon  diligence  in  the  transaction  of  business  and  punc- 
tuality in  fulfilling  his  engagements.  The  circle  of  those, 
at  least  among  the  male  population,  who  aspire  to  dis- 
tinction because  of  their  uselessuess,  is  like  a  wart  on  a 


66  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

man's  nose,  more  looked  at  than  important.  The  mass 
of  the  inhabitants  believe  in  the  Baconian  philosophy, 
and  illustrate  its  wisdom  and  beneficence  by  multiplying 
human  enjoyments  and  mitigating  human  sufferings. 
The  Press  is  emphatically  a  People's  Press.  The  Qua- 
kers, whose  influence,  though  diluted  of  late,  continues 
to  be  felt  in  modifying  the  characteristics  of  our  society, 
are  true  Benthamites  in  their  views  on  individual  and 
general  happiness.  They  hold  that  the  greatest  happi- 
ness of  the  individual  is,  in  the  long  run,  to  be  obtained 
by  pursuing  the  greatest  happiness  of  the  aggregate. 
They  excel  especially  in  the  substantiate  of  character,  are 
fruitful  in  good  works,  zealous  in  education,  and  liberal 
in  encouraging  and  rewarding  decided  mechanical  and 
artistic  triumphs.  Constitutionally  deliberate  and  prudent, 
the  want  of  cordiality  in  their  manners,  which  some 
strangers  complain  of,  may  be,  and  probably  is,  an  un- 
fortunate manifestation  of  these  excellent  qualities  :  or, 
in  other  words,  of  thinking  twice  before  speaking  once. 
Their  city  has  been  so  prolific  in  great  men,  that  the  ar- 
rival of  another  does  not  create  a  sensation  ;  and  being 
quite  inexperienced  in  the  art  of  giving  entertainments 
at  the  subsequent  expense  of  their  guests,\}iey  prefer  to  con- 
ciliate mercantile  visitors  by  giving  them  mercantile  advan- 
tages. With  respect  to  the  want  of  enterprise — a  stand- 
ing accusation,  which  our  fellow-citizens  are  accustomed 
to  make  against  each  other  in  tempestuous  weather — we 
acknowledge  the  charge  is  seemingly  reasonable  and  well 
founded,  especially  if  it  mean  a  total  inability  to  compre- 
hend the  morality,  or  realize  the  pecuniary  value  of  clap- 
trappery,  slap-dashery,  or  eclat.  Adverse  to  puffing,  they 
even  refrain  from  scattering  broadcast,  as  they  ought  to 
do,  information  relative  to  the  mercantile  and  manufactur- 
ing advantages  of  their  city ;  practical  in  their  views, 
they  sometimes  forget  that  man  does  not  live  by  bread 


PHILADELPHIA    AS    IT    IS.  67 

alune  ;  and  straightforward  in  their  own  dealings,  and 
governed  exclusively  in  their  own  transactions  by  eco- 
nomical or  commercial  reasons,  they  do  not  suppose  it 
possible  that  such  trifles  as  "  ancient  and  fish-like  smells" 
in  market-houses,  can  keep  one  customer  away  from 
where  he  ought  to  go  ;  or  that  such  vanities  as  popular 
preachers,  big  hotels,  capacious  theatres,  palaces  of 
mirrors,  can  possibly  attract  one  customer  where  it  is 
not  his  interest  to  go.  The  late  panic,  however,  has  dis- 
pelled many  illusions ;  and  if,  moreover, — disabusing  every 
mind  of  the  feeling  of  entire  security,  and  of  the  convic- 
tion that  perfection  is  already  attained, — it  awaken  a  more 
active  spirit,  the  anniversary  of  its  advent  may  here- 
after be  celebrated  as  a  civic  holiday;  and  this  beautiful 
city,  having  taken  a  new  lease  of  Prosperity,  will  perpetu- 
ate the  glory,  as  well  as  the  memory  of  its  Founders. 

Secondly,  the  social  and  practical  characteristics  of  the 
citizens  of  Philadelphia  are  in  nothing  more  clearly  and 
favorably  manifested  than  in  their  zealous  support  of  free 
education.  According  to  the  Controlers'  Report  of  1856, 
there  were  304  Public  Schools  in  the  city,  viz. :  1  High 
School,  1  Normal  School,  55  Grammar  Schools,  48  Sec- 
ondaries, 156  Primaries,  and  43  unclassified  schools. 
The  whole  number  of  teachers  was  940,  of  whom  78 
were  males,  and  862  females ;  the  expense  $456,089  14, 
and  the  number  of  scholars  who  enjoyed  the  benefits  of 
gratuitous  tuition  was  55,099.  But  Public  Schools  are 
only  a  moiety  of  the  educational  establishments  of  Phil- 
adelphia. The  city  abounds  in  private  schools  and  in- 
stitutions of  a  semi-public  character.  Yet  the  quantity 
of  the  instruction  given  in  the  schools  is  perhaps  less 
noteworthy  than  its  quality.  Public  teachers  must  com- 
pete with  private  teachers ;  while  the  latter  are  incited  to 
emulation  by  the  example  of  numerous  eminent  profes- 
sors. From  a  mechanical  point  of  view,  however,  the 


68  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

crowning  distinction  in  this  respect  is  the  abundance  of 
facilities  provided  for  those  who  desire  to  increase  their 
stock  of  practical  and  scientific  knowledge.  Books  are 
at  the  command  of  such,  rare  in  character  and  unlimited 
in  quantity.  The  Philadelphia  Library,  one  of  the  largest 
and  best  in  the  country,  containing  some  seventy  thou- 
sand volumes,  is  open  to  all,  and  access  is  thus  given  to 
works  that  probably  are  inaccessible  to  mechanics  else- 
where. The  work  on  British  Patents,  recently  donated 
to  the  library,  is  valued  at  $3,000;  the  binding  of  the 
volumes  alone  having  cost,  we  are  informed,  seven  hun- 
dred dollars.  For  three  dollars  a  year,  any  respectable 
person  may  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  Mercantile  Li- 
brary, whose  members  now  number,  we  believe,  1,500. 
In  various  parts  of  the  city  there  are  Institutes  with 
Reading-rooms  and  Libraries  attached,  w7here  gratuitous 
lectures  are  given,  especially  adapted  to  the  wants  of 
mechanics.  At  the  Wagner  Free  Institute  of  Science, 
twelve  lectures  are  delivered  weekly,  during  the  Winter 
season,  on  Geology,  Mineralogy,  Mining,  Astronomy, 
Botany,  Anatomy,  Physiology,  Natural  Philosophy, 
Chemistry,  Chemical  Agriculture,  Ethnology,  Compara- 
tive Anatomy,  Zoology,  Meteorology,  and  Civil  Engi- 
neering. The  apparatus  is  superior,  and  the  lectures  are 
well  attended.  The  Spring  Garden  Institute  gives  in- 
struction in  the  Mechanic  Arts  and  Architecture,  and 
has  lectures  on  Literary  and  Scientific  subjects.  The  Me- 
chanics' Institute  of  Southwark,  the  Moyamensing  Lite- 
rary Institute,  the  Philadelphia  City  Institute,  have 
reading-rooms  and  lectures,  and  the  last  has  a  School 
of  Design.  The  Kensington  Literary  Institute,  and  the 
West  Philadelphia  Institute,  are  of  the  same  character 
as  the  others  ;  the  latter  having  a  School  of  Design.  The 
Board  of  Trustees,  in  their  report  to  contributors  for 
1856,  state  that  the  results  of  these  Institutes  show  "that 


PHILADELPHIA   AS   IT   IS.  69 

ihere  is  an  aggregate  of  more  than  11,000  volumes  in 
the  libraries  ;  that  during  the  past  year  more  than  32,000 
rolumes  have  been  loaned  for  home-reading ;  that  more 
than  48,000  visits  were  paid  to  the  reading-rooms  by  par- 
ties who  partook  of  the  intellectual  food  there  dispensed  ; 
that  one  hundred  pupils  availed  themselves  of  the  valu- 
able privileges  afforded,  for  the  culture  of  the  eye  and 
the  hand  in  designing  and  drawing,  by  the  schools  of  the 
Institutes;  that  sixty-seven  lectures  on  literary,  scien- 
tific, and  artistic  subjects,  many  of  them  replete  with 
useful  information,  were  listened  to  by  thousands  ;  and 
that,  stimulated  by  your  own  generous  contribution  of 
more  than  $30,000,  more  than  $50,000  additional  have 
been  contributed  by  our  fellow-citizens  to  help  onward  the 
noble  work  commenced  by  you." 

The  Franklin  Institute  provides  lectures  at  cheap  rates 
every  Winter,  on  Mechanical,  Literary,  and  Scientific  sub- 
jects, publishes  a  Scientific  Journal,  the  oldest  of  its 
kind  in  the  country,  possesses  a  valuable  Cabinet  of  Mod- 
els and  Minerals,  and  gives  an  Annual  Exhibition  that 
does  much  to  promote  progress  in  the  Useful  Arts.  The 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  has  a  fine  collection  of 
objects  in  Natural  History,  embracing  25,000  specimens 
in  Ornithology,  and  30,000  in  Botany ;  a  library  of  over 
26,000  volumes  ;  and  Mineralogical  and  Geological  Cabi- 
nets, noted  for  their  completeness.  Professor  Agassiz 
pronounced  this  institution  the  best  out  of  Europe  for 
its  collections  in  the  department  of  Natural  History.  At 
the  Polytechnic  College,  opposite  Penn  Square,  an  engi- 
neer may  obtain  instruction  in  Physics  that,  before 
its  establishment,  he  could  not  have  obtained  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  addition  to  the  regular  course, 
which  embraces  instruction  in  Civil  Engineering,  Me- 
chauical  Drawing,  Mining,  &c.,  the  Managers  have  re- 
cently established  a  department  designed  to  give  instruc- 


70  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

tion  in  "certain  branches  of  knowledge  that  are  de- 
manded in  common  by  every  business  pursuit,  and  are 
alike  indispensable  to  the  merchant,  the  farmer,  the  manu- 
facturer, mechanic,  and  the  manager  of  mining  and  other 
property."  At  the  Girard  College,  drawing  is  taught 
from  models  of  geometrical  solids,  and  also  in  the  High 
School,  by  competent  teachers.  The  science  of  Accounts 
Book-keeping,  Penmanship,  and  Commercial  Law,  are 
taught  at  a  Commercial  College,  recently  incorporated 
by  the  Legislature,  and  presided  over  by  competent  pro- 
fessors ;  and  for  the  instruction  of  females  in  many  de- 
partments of  design,  as  applicable  to  manufactures,  there 
is  a  school  known  as  the  "  Philadelphia  School  of  Design 
for  "Women,"  established  a  few  years  ago,  by  Mrs.  Peter, 
the  lady  of  the  late  British  Consul  at  Philadelphia. 

Among  the  educators  of  the  people,  too,  the  newspapers 
of  this  city  are  fairly  entitled  to  rank.  There  are  now 
twelve  newspapers  published  daily — eight  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  four  in  the  afternoon ;  forty  weeklies,  and 
more  than  fifty  publications  properly  designated  as  pe- 
riodicals. The  aggregate  of  those  distinguished  as  news- 
papers, does  not  embrace  any  of  a  strictly  scientific  de- 
scription ;  but  the  deficiency  is  in  great  part  compensated 
for  by  many  of  the  dailies,  which  never  fail  to  advise 
their  readers  of  whatever  is  important  in  the  progress  of 
the  Mechanic  Arts.  The  complement,  also,  lacks  one  or 
more  of  a  metropolitan  character,  or  those  which  can  be 
said  to  possess  universal  interest ;  but  as  a  faithful  local 
Press,  the  newspapers  of  this  city  are  models  for  those 
of  the  Union.  The  working-man  here,  for  one  cent,  may 
enjoy  a  better  morning  newspaper  than  he  can,  for  the 
same  trifling  sum,  in  any  other  place  on  the  globe  ;  while, 
for  a  larger  expenditure,  he  may  suit  his  taste  from 
"  grave  to  gay — from  lively  to  severe."  The  sources  then, 
it  will  be  perceived,  for  acquiring  that  sort  of  knowledge 


PHILADELPHIA    AS    IT    IS. 


71 


which  makes  superior,  efficient,  intelligent  mechanics, 
are  very  abundant  in  Philadelphia.  It  would  be  well, 
indeed,  for  affluent  munificence  to  endow  more  com- 
pletely one  or  two  colleges,  and  establish  an  institution 
resembling,  for  instance,  the  British  Museum ;  but  in 
view  of  her  present  advantages,  this  city  deserves  now 
to  be  the  resort  of  students  in  Art-education  from  all  sec- 
tions of  the  Union,  as  she  long  has  been  of  students  in 
Medical  science.  Here,  there  is  an  amount  of  scientific 
intelligence  and  professional  skill  concentrated,  in  part 
by  the  demands  of  the  various  institutions,  seemingly 
sufficient  to  solve  any  thing  in  Mechanics  but  impossibil- 
ities; and  which,  conjoined  with  favorable  physical 
circumstances,  must  enable  manufacturers  located  near 
this  city,  to  triumph  over  difficulties  under  which,  in  less 
favored  localities,  they  would  be  compelled  to  succumb. 
Here,  an  educated  hand-craftsman,  or  an  inventor,  may  be 
said  to  stand  at  one  of  the  great  centres  of  intellectual  life, 
with  the  world  of  mechanism  in  its  practical  forms  on 
exhibition  and  in  operation  before  him ;  Mentors  on 
every  side  to  enlighten  him  as  to  the  recorded  failures 
and  triumphs  of  the  ingenious  men  of  all  countries ;  and 
with  the  resources  of  the  most  scientific  men  of  the 
present  age,  possessing  the  most  perfect  apparatus,  at 
his  command,  to  aid  him  in  his  experiments,  or  sustain 
him  in  his  discoveries. 

As  a  place  of  residence,  Philadelphia  enjoys  the  rare 
distinction  of  being  desirable  alike  to  the  capitalist  and 
to  the  artisan.  In  this  respect,  it  is  generally  acknowl- 
edged, no  other  American  city  can  compare  with  it. 
To  the  former,  it  offers  all  the  attractions  that  can  delight 
a  cultivated  mind,  and  all  the  luxuries  that  can  please  a 
fastidious  palate ;  while  an  artisan,  if  industrious  and 
intelligent,  may  command  probably  every  thing  essential 
to  his  present  comfort,  prospective  independence,  with 


72  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

constant  participation  in  many  of  the  chief  pleasures  of 
the  capitalist.  In  the  important  particulars  of  general 
cleanliness,  healthful  ness,  wholesomeness  of  water,  and  the 
excellence  of  its  markets,  Philadelphia  is  unapproached  by 
any  of  the  other  great  cities ;  and,  as  respects  domestic 
accommodations,  its  superiority,  at  least  over  New  York, 
is  strikingly  revealed  by  the  census  of  1850,  which  showed 
that,  with  a  smaller  population,  this  city  contained  about 
23,601  more  dwelling-houses  :  there  being  an  average  of 
13£  persons  to  a  house  in  the  former  city,  and  only  6£ 
in  Philadelphia.  The  custom,  too,  that  prevails  of  sell- 
ing lots  on  ground-rent,  gives  to  the  man  of  small  means 
facilities  that  he  cannot  ordinarily  obtain  in  other  cities. 
For  instance,  if  he  have  but  money  enough  to  erect  a 
house,  he  can  procure  a  lot  on  an  indefinite  credit ;  and 
so  long  as  he  pays  the  interest  of  the  purchase-money,  he 
will  not  be  disturbed,  nor  can  the  principal  be  called  for. 
By  this  means,  it  is  quite  common  for  mechanics,  small 
tradesmen,  and  even  laborers,  to  become  owners  of 
homesteads  in  the  suburbs,  which,  by  Passenger  Railways 
that  are  being  introduced,  will  be  brought  nearer  to  the 
centre  than  ever  before. 

A  city,  then,  so  attractive  as  Philadelphia,  and  possess- 
ing such  superior  educational  advantages,  can  hardly  fail, 
it  would  seem  probable,  to  command,  at  all  times,  one 
of  the  first  and  most  important  requisites  for  success  in 
Manufactures,  viz. :  an  abundant  supply  of  skilled  labor,  and 
of  those  qualified  to  direct  it.  Experience  demonstrates, 
that  not  only  is  the  supply  of  labor  generally  abundant, 
but  the  surplus  sometimes  troublesome.  Here  is  con- 
gregated, at  all  times,  an  army  of  artisans  from  every 
civilized  nationality — the  majority  employed,  others  seek- 
ing employment ;  and  should  the  supply  at  any  time  fall 
short,  an  advertisement  would  bring  a  regiment  from 
every  place  where  it  had  been  seen.  Men  who  would  not  go 


COMMERCIAL    RELATIONS    OP    PHILADELPHIA.  73 

to  "Raw  Cheney,"  in  Georgia,  for  $1,000  a  year,  nor  to 
Pittsburg  for  $900,  nor  to  Lowell  for  $850,  eagerly  come 
to  Philadelphia  for  $800.  Philadelphia  has  thus  the  pick 
and  choice,  at  less  wages,  of  the  mechanics  of  the  Union. 
Hence,  too,  the  name,  PHILADELPHIA  MECHANIC,  has  be- 
come synonymous  with  skill  and  superiority  in  work- 
manship. ~We  simply  state  a  well  tested  fact,  when  we 
assert  that  a  mechanic,  traveling  with  favorable  creden- 
tials from  reputable  workshops  in  this  city,  will  be  pre- 
ferred to  fill  the  first  vacancy  in  any  similar  establish- 
ment, not  merely  in  most  places  throughout  the  United 
States,  but  in  portions  of  Europe. 

So  much  for  Philadelphia  as  it  is.  Its  status  establishes 
the  fact,  that  it  possesses  the  moral  circumstances  that 
are  essential  to  success  in  manufacturing  operations,  and 
we  might  proceed  immediately  to  consider  those  that  are 
properly  denominated  physical.  Before  doing  so,  how- 
ever, it  may  h§  proper  to  glance  at  the  present, 

II.  Commercial  Relations  of  Philadelphia. 

i    iu-ti'-iit"']    ifio'J   'Ji  [ids    <iV;i- 

A  Review  of  Commercial  Transactions,  for  a  year 
financially  so  disastrous  as  1857,  can  hardly  be  expected 
to  be  very  imposing,  or  even  favorable.  We  notice, 
however,  that  the  statistics  of  the  commerce  of  the  Port 
of  Philadelphia,  for  1857,  show  in  several  particulars  an 
increase  over  the  previous  few  years  ;  indicating  that 
.the  city  is  just  beginning  to  realize  fully  the  benefits  long 
expected  from  an  immense  expenditure  incurred  to  de- 
velop the  trade,  and  especially  the  mineral  wealth  of  the 
interior. 

The  number  of  vessels  that  arrived  during  the  year 
was  505  foreign,  and  32,241  coastwise :  being  an  in- 
crease of  5,702  over  1856,  and  2,523  over  the  arrivals  in 


74  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

1855.  The  value  of  merchandise  entered  for  consump- 
tion was  $11,845,205 ;  and  the  value  entered  for  ware- 
housing was  $6,706,017.  Total  Imports  for  the  last  three 
years,  being : — 

Imports.  Withdrawals. 

1857,  -  $18,551,222  -  $5,421,092 
1856,  -  18,303,288  -  3,050,400 
1855,  15,104,478  

The  cash  duties  received  at  the  Port,  for  the  last  three 
jears,  were, 

1857.  1856.  1855. 

$3,096,324  24         -      $4,301,123  80        -      $3,358,517  41 
The  Exports  for  1857,  included,  of  breadstuff's,  198,867 
barrels  Flour,  48,572  barrels  Corn  Meal,  8,254  barrels 
of  Rye  Flour,  191,400  bushels  Wheat,  625,556  bushels 
Corn  ;    and  a  great  variety  of  manufactured  articles. 

The  construction  of  vessels  at  all  places  was  quite 
limited  during  the  year,  but  at  Philadelphia  147  new  ves- 
sels, having  an  aggregate  tonnage  of  17,917  tons,  were 
admeasured  by  the  United  States  officers. 

Of  COAL,  the  following  statement  shows  the  compara- 
tive shipment  by  the  four  principal  lines  to  Philadel- 
phia, for  1857  and  1856 :— 


Philadelphia  and  Heading  R.  B  

1857. 
Tons.        Cwt. 
.  .     1,709692  19 

1856. 
Tons.        Cwt. 

2  088  903  03 

.  .     1,275,988  00 

1  169  453  08 

Lehigh  Navigation  

900,314  06 

1  186  294  00 

418  235  11 

165  740  00 

Total 4,304,230  16         4,610,390  11 

Decrease  from  Schuylkill  and  Lehigh  regions,  in  1857,  306,159  95 


COMMERCIAL   RELATIONS    OF    PHILADELPHIA. 


75 


The  following  Table  Exhibits  the  Tonnage  of  the  Pennsylvania  Bail- 
road  for  1857. 


ARTICLES. 

From  Phil'a 
to  Fittsburg. 

From  Pitts'g 
to  Philad'a. 

From   Pl.il'a 
to  Way  Sta- 
tions. 

From  Way 
Station*  to 

Philad'a. 

Agricultural  Implements  and  Productions.... 
Boots,  Shoes,  Hats,  &c  
Books  and  Stationery  „  .. 

1,391,797 
4,481,376 
2,360,675 

620,846 

115,962 
709,267 
173,441 

183,700 
4,428,779 

Butter  and  Eggs  

2,665,382 

Brown  Sheetings  and  Bagging 

5,374,835 

322,735 

Bark  and  Sumac  

980,988 

Cedarware  

212,326 
2,138,853 
6,729,353 
161,100 

236,082 

245,377 
335,566 
1,591,561 
34,245 
7,655 
348,961 

Confectionery  and  Foreign  Fruits 

Coffee  

Cotton  

733,651 
11,011 
96,974 

Coal  

255,382,087 

Copper,  Tin  and  Lead  

2,373,751 

Camphene  

Dry  Goods  

48,442,442 

7,064,227 

723,735 
626,100 
152,692 
65,163,024 
276,785 
51,970 
311,990 
1,555,943 
2,630,054 
81,971 
11,296,545 
149,426 
101,322 

3,311,476 

988,423 

136,663 

Drugs,  Medicines  and  Dye  Stuffs 

Earthenware  

Flour  

48,816 

2,842,806 
455,097 

Fresh  Meats,  Poultry  and  Fish     

Feathers,  Furs  and  Skins  

Furniture  and  Oil  Cloth  

2,504,485 
868,914 

444,033 
296,103 

36,667 
27,140 
298,415 
873,123 
8,377,902 
104,724 

Glass  and  Glassware  

Green  and  Dried  Fruits  

Grass  and  other  Seeds  

Grain,  of  all  kinds  

Groceries,  (except  Coffee)  

18,755,092 

6,586,644 

12,250 
10,008,923 

46,913 
1,966,422 
1,222,211 
149,992 
39,796 
1,638,862 
263,900 

1,113,370 
2,724,863 
1,153,344 

492,370 

Hides  and  Hair  

Hemp  and  Cordage  

1,334,638 
217,720 
389,097 
171,450 

Iron,  rolled,  hammered,  &c  

1,710,957 

Iron,  rail-road  

Iron  Ore  

Iron,  Blooms  and  Pigs  

2,574,356 
9,95.1,769 
2,285,018 

Live  Stock  

122,075 
2,428,264 

40,056,014 
844,025 

46,505 
134,708 

Leather  

Lead  and  Shot  

Lard,  Lard  Oil  and  Tallow  

7,155,977 
714,730 
775,171 

166,212 
25,728,000 

Lumber  and  Timber  

27,304 
6,796,518 
2,577,776 
43,945 

55,541 
2,518,666 
991,885 
5,245 
92,424 
722,329 
1,065 
4,205 

Machinery  and  Castings  

Marble  and  Cement  

Malt  and  Malt  Liquors  

405,446 

Nails  and  Spikes  

1,680,182 

Oils  

2,454,893 
240,825 
1,702,745 

614,837 

330,062 

Plaster  

Potatoes,  Turnips,  4c  

Pot,  Pearl  and  Soda  Ash  

8,332,527 
4  928  353 

107,495 

38,315 
672,934 
355,398 
2,061,291 

Queensware  , 

Salt  

73,665 
3,552,423 

Salt  Meats  and  Fish  

24,704,577 
796,674 
1,086,681 

25,829 

Soap  and  Candles  

Tobacco  

1,830,837 
430,656 

405,166 
79,380 

Tar,  Pitch  and  Resin  

Do.               do.       Foreign  

2,974,461 

6,580 

939,007 

Wall  Paper  

12,571,537 
4,978,191 
568,113 

500,730 

1,219,631 
171,486 
123,726 

Wool  and  Woolen  Yarn  

37,669 
1,739,600 

Total  First  Class  

62,058,365 
53,563,860 
8,160,805 
30,553,626 

6,840,642 
17,611,766 
42,060,772 
123,295,946 

7,034,142 
11,940,214 
3,036,988 
8,452,995 

3,373,186 
4,582,337 
10,053,200 
300,635,869 

Total  Second  Class  

Total  Third  Class  

Total  Fourth  Class  

Total  for  the  Year  

154.336.656 

189.809.12.5 

30.  464.339  318.644.592 

76  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

During  the  past  year,  a  movement  was  made,  in  va- 
rious departments  of  trade,  toward  a  union  of  energies 
and  aims,  and  effected,  as  we  are  informed  by  the  official 
report  of  the  Corn  Exchange  Association,  amongst  the 
Dry-goods  merchants,  the  "Workers  in  metals,  the  Dealers 
in  Queensware,  and  others.  This  favorable  result  was 
coincident  with  an  effort  to  represent  all  these  branches 
in  a  Commercial  Congress,  by  means  of  a  reconstruction 
of  the  Philadelphia  Board  of  Trade.  This  board,  here- 
tofore exclusive  in  its  character,  was,  during  the  year, 
completely  reorganized.  Its  floor,  and  its  offices,  are 
now  open  to  all  who  have  a  right,  by  force  of  character,  to 
the  attention  and  respect  of  their  fellow-members.  Since 
its  reorganization,  many  of  its  meetings  have  been  at- 
tended by  unusual  numbers  ;  and  its  future  action  is 
looked  to  with  interest,  as  likely  to  exert  a  favorable  and 
important  influence  upon  our  trade  and  commerce. 

In  Foreign  Commerce,  the  Port  of  Philadelphia,  it  is 
undeniably  obvious,  has  not  maintained  its  original  su- 
premacy. In  1796,  the  exports  amounted  to  $17,513,866  ; 
and  from  1795  to  1826,  the  aggregate  exports  more  than 
trebled  those  of  the  last  thirty  years.  For  a  long  period 
of  time,  nearly  a  century,  Philadelphia  was  regarded 
throughout  Europe  as,  commercially  and  numerically,  the 
great  city  of  the  Western  Continent.  Vessels  of  the 
largest  tonnage  then  known,  and  laden  with  the  richest 
merchandise  of  Europe  and  the  Indies,  sailed  up  the  Del- 
aware, and  found  accommodations  at  her  wharves.  Large 
fortunes,  besides  that  of  Girard,  were  accumulated  by  her 
citizens  from  well-planned  adventures  to  foreign  countries. 
The  names  of  her  principal  merchants  were  known  and 
respected  at  every  Exchange  in  Europe.  A  decline,  then, 
from  a  position  so  commanding  in  the  world's  markets, 
would  naturally  cause  a  pang  of  regret  in  the  breasts  of 
every  one  not  indifferent  to  the  city's  future,  were  the 


COMMERCIAL    RELATIONS   OF   PHILADELPHIA.  77 

causes  that  induced  it,  less  creditable,  patriotic,  and 
honorable  than  they  are.  It  is  especially  consoling 
to  know  that  they  do  not  impinge  in  the  slightest 
the  commercial  capabilities  of  the  Port.  No  one,  if 
called  upon  to  correct  the  assertions  of  the  willfully 
ignorant,  need  trouble  himself  to  controvert  the  as- 
sertion, that  the  inland  situation  of  Philadelphia  is 
an  effectual  barrier  to  her  commercial  supremacy. 
The  position  of  the  chief  commercial  cities  of  the 
Old  World, — London  on  the  Thames,  Liverpool  on  the 
Mersey,  and  Paris  on  the  Seine, — proves  that  immediate 
proximity  to  the  ocean  is  not  essential  to  constitute  a 
great  shipping  port.  Besides,  the  channel  of  the  Dela- 
ware is  known  to  be  abundantly  wide  and  deep  to  float, 
as  it  has  floated,  the  largest  vessels  in  the  Naval  service. 
According  to  the  official  chart  of  the  Coast  Survey,  it  is 
seldom  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  and  ranges 
in  depth,  at  low  water p,  from  4  to  9^  fathoms,  excepting  at 
the  bar  below  Fort  Mifflin,  where,  for  a  few  rods,  it 
varies  from  18  feet  to  25  feet  8  inches,  according  to 
the  state  of  the  tide.  Moreover,  the  fact  that  the  "  Cathe- 
dral," a  vessel  of  too  large  tonnage  to  obtain  entrance  into 
the  port  of  her  destination,  New  York,  was  therefore  sent 
hither,  where  she  was  amply  accommodated  ;  the  length 
of  wharves  on  the  Eastern  front,  extending  as  they  do, 
for  about  three  miles  ;  and  especially  her  former  eminent 
success  in  Foreign  Commerce,  all  establish  and  fortify 
the  assertion,  that  Philadelphia  possesses  all  essential, 
in  fact  ample  facilities  for  shipping.  To  ascertain  the 
true  and  principal  causes  of  the  decline  in  this  partic- 
ular, then,  we  must  direct  our  attention  to  other  channels 
that  have  absorbed  capital ;  and  we  may  possibly  dis- 
cover that  the  chief  sources  of  the  present  prosperity 
of  Philadelphia  have  their  origin  in  a  comparative  neg- 
lect of  Foreign  Commerce. 


78  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

About  thirty  years  ago,  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia 
may  be  said  to  have  become  thoroughly  aware  of  the 
immensity  of  the  riches  concealed  in  the  mountains  and 
ravines  of  their  native  State.  They  then,  for  the  first 
time,  comprehended  the  value  and  the  vastness  of  the 
deposits  of  Coal  and  Iron  near  their  metropolis,  and 
realized,  as  vividly  perhaps  as  subsequent  experience  has 
justified,  how  great  a  boon  would  be  conferred  upon  the 
whole  country  by  their  development.  It  is  true,  that  for 
many  years  previously,  it  had  been  known  that  a  pecu- 
liar species  of  coal  abounded  in  the  counties  of  Lehigh 
and  Schuylkill,  but  it  was  regarded  as  worthless.  Even 
as  late  as  1817,  when  Col.  George  Shoemaker  forwarded 
ten  wagon  loads  of  a  coal  which  he  had  discovered  about 
one  mile  from  Pottsville,  to  Philadelphia  for  sale,  he  could 
with  difficulty  find  purchasers ;  and  some  of  those  who  did 
purchase  it,  were  wholly  unsuccessful  in  their  attempts  to 
use  it.  "Nearly  every  one  considered  it  a  sort  of  stone,  and, 
saving  that  it  was  a  '  peculiar  stone' — a  stone-coal — they 
would  as  soon  have  thought  of  making  a  fire  with  any 
other  kind  of  stone!  Among  all  those  who  examined  the 
coals,  but  few  persons  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  pur- 
chase, and  they  only  a  small  quantity, — '  to  try  it.'  But, 
alas !  the  trials  were  unsuccessful.  The  purchasers  de- 
nounced Colonel  Shoemaker  as  a  vile  impostor  and  an 
arrant  cheat !  Their  denunciations  went  forth  through- 
out the  city;  and  Colonel  Shoemaker,  to  escape  an  arrest 
for  swindling  and  imposture,  with  which  he  was  threat- 
ened, drove  thirty  miles  out  of  his  way,  in  a  circuitous 
route,  to  avoid  the  officers  of  the  law  !  He  returned  home, 
heart-sick  with  his  adventure.  But,  fortunately,  among 
the  few  purchasers  of  his  coal,  were  a  firm  of  iron  fac- 
tors in  Delaware  County,  who,  having  used  it  success- 
fully, proclaimed  the  astounding  fact  in  the  newspapers 
of  the  day.  The  current  of  prejudice  thereafter  began  to 


COMMERCIAL    RELATIONS    OF    PHILADELPHIA.  79 

waver  somewhat;  and  new  experiments  were  made  at 
iron- works  on  the  Schuylkill,  with  like  success,  the  result 
of  which  was  also  announced  by  the  Press.  From  this 
time,  Anthracite  began  gradually  to  put  down  its  ene- 
mies ;  and  among  the  more  intelligent  people,  its  future 
value  was  predicted."  But  it  was  not  until  1825  that  the 
first  successful  experiment  to  generate  steam,  with  An- 
thracite coal,  was  made  at  iron-works  at  Phcenixville. 
From  that  year,  too,  the  existence  of  the  Schuylkill  trade 
may  be  said  to  date,  though  some  coal  had  been  shipped 
previously.  The  speculative  mania  in  the  coal  regions, 
however,  did  not  commence  until  a  few  years  later. 

About  1829,  the  news  of  fortunes  accumulated  by  pierc- 
ing the  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  bringing  forth  from  the 
caverns  of  mountains  "  metals  which  shall  give  strength  to 
our  hands,"  became  generally  current,  and  aroused  an  en- 
thusiasm less  wide-spread  than  that  which  fevered  Europe 
upon  the  discovery  of  silver  in  Mexico,  or  recently  America 
upon  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  but  certainly  not 
less  intense.  "  Capitalists  awoke  as  if  from  a  dream,  and 
wondered  that  they  had  never  before  realized  the  import- 
ance of  the  anthracite  trade.  "What  appeared  yesterday  but 
as  a  fly,  now  assumed  the  gigantic  proportions  of  an  ele- 
phant !  The  capitalist  who,  but  a  few  years  previously, 
laughed  at  the  infatuation  of  the  daring  pioneers  of  the  coal 
trade,  now  coolly  ransacked  his  papers,  and  ciphered  out 
his  available  means  ;  and  whenever  met  on  the  street,  his 
hands  and  pockets  would  be  filled  with  plans  of  towns, 
of  surveys  of  coal  lands,  and  calculations  and  specifica- 
tions of  railways,  canals,  and  divers  other  improvements 
until  now  unheard  of.  The  land  which  yesterday  would 
not  have  commanded  the  taxes  levied  upon  it,  was  now 
looked  upon  as  '  dearer  than  Plutus's  mine,  richer  than 
gold.'  Sales  were  made  to  a  large  amount ;  and  in  an 
incredibly  short  space  of  time,  it  is  estimated  that  up- 


80  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

ward  of  five  millions  of  dollars  had  been  invested  in  lands 
in  the  Schuylkill  coal-field  alone !  Laborers  and  me- 
chanics of  all  kinds,  and  from  all  quarters  and  nations, 
flocked  to  the  coal  region,  and  found  ready  and  constant 
employment  at  the  most  exorbitant  wages.  Capitalists, 
arm-in-arm  with  confidential  advisers,  civil  engineers, 
and  grave  scientific  gentlemen,  explored  every  recess, 
and  solemnly  contemplated  the  present  and  future  value 
and  importance  of  each  particular  spot.  Houses  could 
not  be  built  fast  enough  ;  for  where  nought  but  bushes 
and  rubbish  were  seen  one  day,  a  smiling  village  would 
be  discovered  on  the  morrow.  Enterprising  carpenters 
in  Philadelphia,  and  elsewhere  along  the  line  of  canal, 
prepared  the  timber  and  frame-work  of  houses,  and  then 
placing  the  materiel  on  board  a  canal  boat,  would  hasten 
on  to  the  enchanted  spot  to  dedicate  it  to  its  future  pur- 
poses. Thus  whole  towns  were  arriving  in  the  returning 
canal  boats;  and  as  *  they  were  forced  to  play  the  owl,'  a 
moonlight  night  was  a  godsend  to  the  impatient  pro- 
prietors, for  with  the  dawning  of  the  morning  would  be 
reflected  the  future  glory  of  the  new  town,  and  the  rest- 
less visages  of  scores  of  anxious  lessees."* 

•  The  late  Joseph  C.  Neal,  who  was  one  of  the  motley  mass,  some  years 
afterward  wrote  the  following  humorous  description  of  the  speculating 
scenes : 

In  the  memorable  year  to  which  we  allude,  rumors  of  fortunes  made  at 
a  blow,  and  competency  secured  by  a  turn  of  the  fingers,  came  whispering 
down  the  Schuylkill  and  penetrating  the  city.  The  ball  gathered  strength 
by  rolling — young  and  old  were  smitten  with  the  desire  to  march  upon  the 
new  Peru,  rout  the  aborigines,  and  sate  themselves  with  wealth.  They  had 
merely  to  go,  and  play  the  game  boldly,  to  secure  their  utmost  desire. 
Rumor  declared  that  Pipkins  was  worth  millions,  made  in  a  few  months, 
although  he  had  not  a  sixpence  to  begin  with,  or  to  keep  grim  want  from 
dancing  in  his  pocket.  Fortune  kept  her  court  in  the  mountains  of  Schuyl- 
kill County,  and  all  who  paid  their  respects  to  her  in  person  found  her  as 
kind  as  their  wildest  hopes  could  imagine. 

The  Ridge  road  was  well  traveled.     Reading  stared  to  see  the  lengthened 


COMMERCIAL   RELATIONS   OF   PHILADELPHIA.  81 

A  reaction  attended  this,  as  all  other  speculative  ma- 
nias. But  disastrous  as  it  was,  and  involving  hundreds 
in  ruin,  it  did  not  prevent  the  continued  investment 

columns  of  emigration;  and  her  astonished  inhabitants  looked  with  wonder 
upon  the  groaning  stage-coaches,  the  hundreds  of  horsemen,  and  the  thou- 
sands of  footmen,  who  streamed  through  that  ancient  and  respectable 
borough  ;  and  as  for  Ultima  Thule,  Orwigsburg,  it  has  not  recovered  from  its 
fright  to  this  day  ! 

Eight  miles  further  brought  the  army  to  the  land  of  milk  and  honey,  and 
then  the  sport  began — the  town  was  far  from  large  enough  to  accommodate 
the  new  accessions ;  but  they  did  not  come  for  comfort — they  did  not  come 
to  stay.  They  were  to  be  among  the  mountains,  like  Sinbad  in  the  valley 
of  diamonds,  just  long  enough  to  transform  themselves  from  the  likeness 
of  Peter  the  Moneyless  into  that  of  a  Millionaire;  and  then  they  intended 
to  wing  their  flight  to  the  perfumed  saloons  of  metropolitan  wealth  and 
fashion.  What  though  they  slept  in  layers  on  the  sanded  floors  of  Trout- 
man's  and  Shoemaker's  bar-rooms,  and  learned  to  regard  it  as  a  favor  that 
they  were  allowed  the  accommodation  of  a  roof  by  paying  roundly  for  it, 
a  few  months  would  pass,  and  then  Aladdin,  with  the  Genii  of  the  Lamp, 
could  not  raise  a  palace  or  a  banquet  with  more  speed  than  they ! 

One  branch  of  the  adventurers  betook  themselves  to  land  speculations, 
and  another  to  the  slower  process  of  mining.  With  the  first,  mountains, 
rocks,  and  valleys  changed  hands  with  astonishing  rapidity.  That  which 
was  worth  only  hundreds  in  the  morning,  sold  for  thousands  in  the  evening, 
and  would  command  tens  of  thousands  by  suni'ise,  in  paper  money  of  that 
description  known  among  the  facetious  as  slow  notes.  Days  and  nights 
were  consumed  in  surveys  and  chaffering.  There  was  not  a  man  who  did 
not  speak  like  a  Croesus — even  your  ragged  rascal  could  talk  of  his  hundreds 
of  thousands. 

The  tracts  of  land,  in  passing  through  so  many  hands,  became  subdi- 
vided, and  that  brought  on  another  act  in  the  drama  of  speculation:  the 
manufacture  of  towns,  and  the  selling  of  town  lots.  Every  speculator  had 
his  town  laid  out,  and  many  of  them  had  scores  of  towns.  They  were,  to  be 
sure,  located  in  the  pathless  forests ;  but  the  future  Broadways  and  Pall 
Malls  were  marked  upon  the  trees;  and  it  was  anticipated  that  the  time  was 
not  far  distant  when  the  deers,  bears,  and  wild-cats  would  be  obliged  to  give 
place,  and  take  the  gutter  side  of  the  belles  and  beaux  of  the  new  cities. 
How  beautifully  the  towns  yet  unborn  looked  upon  paper!  the  embryo 
squares,  flaunting  in  pink  and  yellow,  like  a  tulip  show  at  Amsterdam ;  and 
the  broad  streets  intersecting  each  other  at  right  angles,  in  imitation  of  the 
common  parent,  Philadelphia.  The  skill  of  the  artist  was  exerted-to  render 
them  attractive ;  and  the  more  German  text,  and  the  more  pink  and  yellow, 
6 


82  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

of  capital  in  the  coal  regions.  Every  year  more  mines 
were  opened,  more  iron-works  erected,  more  improvements 
of  a  stupendous  character  planned,  more  tons  of  coal 

the  more  valuable  became  the  town !  The  value  of  a  lot,  bedaubed  with 
vermilion,  was  incalculable ;  and  even  a  sky-parlor  location,  one  edge  of 
which  rested  upon  the  side  of  a  perpendicular  mountain,  the  lot  running 
back  into  the  air  a  hundred  feet  or  so  from  the  level  of  the  earth,  by  the 
aid  of  the  paint-box  was  no  despicable  bargain :  and  the  corners  of  Chest- 
nut and  Chatham  streets,  in  the  town  of  Caledonia,  situated  in  the  centre 
of  an  almost  impervious  laurel  swamp,  brought  a  high  price  in  market,  for 
it  was  illustrated  by  a  patch  of  yellow  ochre ! 

The  bar-rooms  were  hung  round  with  these  brilliant  fancy  sketches; 
every  man  had  a  roll  of  inchoate  towns  in  the  side  pocket  of  his  fustian 
jacket.  The  most  populous  country  in  the  world  is  not  so  thickly  studded 
with  settlements  as  the  coal  region  was  to  be ;  but  they  remain,  unluckily, 
in  statu  quo  ante  bellum. 

At  some  points  a  few  buildings  were  erected  to  give  an  appearance  of 
realizing  promises.  There  was  one  town  with  a  fine  name,  which  had  a 
great  barn  of  a  frame  hotel.  The  building  was  let  for  nothing ;  but  after 
a  trial  of  a  few  weeks,  customers  were  so  scarce  at  the  "  Red  Cow,"  that  the 
tenant  swore  roundly  he  must  have  it  on  better  terms,  or  he  would  give  up 
the  lease. 

The  other  branch  of  our  adventurers  lent  their  attention  to  mining  ;  and 
they  could  show  you,  by  the  aid  of  a  pencil  and  piece  of  paper,  the  manner 
in  which  they  must  make  fortunes,  one  and  all,  in  a  given  spnce  of  time — 
expenses,  so  much  ;  transportation,  so  much  ;  will  sell  for  so  much  ;  leaving 
a  clear  profit  of  000,000!  There  was  no  mistake  about  the  matter.  To  it 
they  went,  boring  the  mountains,  swamping  their  money  and  themselves. 
The  hills  swarmed  with  them ;  they  clustered  like  bees  about  a  hive ;  but 
not  a  hope  was  realized.  Calculations,  like  towns,  are  one  thing  on  paper, 
and  quite  another  when  brought  to  the  test. 

At  last  the  members  of  the  expedition  began  to  look  htiggard  and  care- 
worn. The  justices  did  a  fine  business ;  and  Natty  M.,  Blue  Breeches, 
Pewter-Legs,  and  other  worthies  of  the  catchpole  profession,  toiled  at  their 
vocation  with  ceaseless  activity.  When  the  game  could  not  be  run  down 
at  view,  it  was  taken  by  ambuscade.  Several  bold  navigators  discovered 
that  the  county  had  accommodations  at  Orwigsburg  (at  that  time  the  seat 
of  justice,  now  located  at  Pottsville)  for  gentlemen  in  trouble.  Capiases, 
securities,  and  bail-pieces,  became  as  familiar  as  your  garter.  The  play 
was  over,  and  the  farce  of  "  The  Devil  to  Pay"  was  the  after-piece.  There 
was  but  one  step  from  the  sublime  to  the  ridiculous,  and  Pottsville  saw  it 
taken! 


COMMERCIAL    RELATIONS    OF    PHILADELPHIA.  83 

gent  to  market.  Canals  which  had  been  projected  but 
suffered  to  languish  were  speedily  completed  ;  rail-roads 
were  built,  not  only  above  ground  but  underground;  and 
in  a  comparatively  brief  period  of  time,  it  has  been 
estimated  by  competent  authority,  a  hundred  millions  of 
dollars  were  withdrawn  from  commercial  activity,  and 
invested  in  productive  and  unproductive  improvements 
and  partially  abortive  schemes.  Many  of  the  works, 
however,  constructed  in  Lehigh  and  Schuylkill  counties, 
are  imperishable  monuments  of  solidity  and  beauty,  and 
will  be  objects  of  admiration  in  after  ages. 

At  the  present  time  there  are,  within  the  borders  of 
Pennsylvania,  upward  of  800  miles  of  Canal,  and  1,600 
miles  of  Rail-road,  of  which  the  revenues  are  mainly  de- 
rived from  freight  on  Anthracite  and  semi- Anthracite 
coal.  Many  of  those,  projected  with  other  views,  have 
become  large  transporters  of  coal ;  and  certainly  the 
amount  of  capital  expended  in  Pennsylvania  for  one  ob- 
ject, viz.,  for  constructing  avenues  to  convey  Anthracite  coal 
to  market,  is  now  at  least  SEVEN  TIMES  GREATER  than  the 
whole  amount  invested  in  all  the  manufactories  at  Lowell. 
(See  annexed  TABLE.) 

Gay  gallants,  who  had  but  a  few  months  before  rolled  up  the  turnpike, 
swelling  with  hope,  and  flushed  with  expectation,  now  betook  themselves, 
in  the  gray  of  the  morn,  and  then  the  haze  of  the  evening,  with  bundle  on 
back — the  wardrobe  of  the  Honorable  Dick  Bowles  tied  up  in  a  little  blue- 
and-white  pocket-handkerchief — to  the  tow-path,  making,  in  court  phrase, 
"mortal  escapes";  and,  in  the  end,  a  general  rush  was  effected — the  army 
was  disbanded — sauve  quipeul! 


84 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTUKES. 


The  following  Table,  which  we  have  prepared  princi- 
pally from  official  information,  exhibits  the 

Names,  Length,  and  Cost  of  the  Canals  and  Hail-roads  in  and  leading 
to  the  Anthracite  Coal  Begions  of  Pennsylvania. 


Philadelphia  and  Reading  B.  R.  (including  City  Br.)  
Caiawissa,  Williamsport  and  Erie  R.  R.,  including  the 

Canals. 
Length. 

Railroads 
Length. 

Cost. 
Jan.  1,  1S53. 

108 
72 

60 
46 
41 
73 
94 
99 

12 

98 
79 

78 
53K 

20 
25 

68 
46 
33 

40 
64 
67 
113 
9 
33 
120 
28 
13* 

I* 

20 

li* 

8 

J* 
5g 

5 

7 

* 

4 

6 

W 
300 

19,262,720 
4,200,000 

3,850,000 
4,000,000 
10,950,000 

4,455,000 
1,380,000 
1,400,000 
2,200,000 
1,737,236 
897,160 
1,598,379 
4,500,000 
5,000,000 
6,773,925 
3,276,523 
1,348,812 

3,693,492 
4,000,000 
1,660,000 
8,701,888 
300,000 
1,402,651 
2,750,000 
668,000 
311,000 
282,000 
200,000 
1,000,000 
400,000 
200,000 
430,000 
35,000 
700,000 
1,093,263 
438,000 
150,000 
150,000 
60,000 
443,000 
150,000 
100,000 
381,836 
25,000 

6,000,000 

Williiuiisport  and  Elmira,  with  real  estate  and  basins  at 
Williainsport  and  Elmira,  and  equipments  complete... 
Lebanon  Valley  R.  R.,  (consolidated  with  Reading)  
Schuylkill  Navigation  Co  

Lehigh  Coal  and  Navigation  Co.,  viz.  : 

Lehigh  and  Susquehanna  R.  R  

Summit  and  Branch  Rail-roads  

Delaware  Division  of  Pennsylvania  (State)  Canal  

Eastern  Division  of  Pennsylvania  (State)  Canal  

Lower  North  Branch  Canal  

Union  Canal  

Lehigh  Valley  R.  R  

Philadelphia  and  Sunbury  R.  R.,  i  unfinished)  

Sunbury  and  Erie  R.  R.,  whole  amount  expended  on  fin- 

Dauphin  and  Susquehanna  R.  R  

Lackawana  R.  R.,  (unfinished)  
Little  Schuylkill  Railroad,  exclusive  of  land  

Schuylkill  Valley  Rail-road  and  Branches  

Mill  Creek  Rail-road  and  Branches  

Mount  Carbon  and  Port  Carbon  R.  R.,  Including  land.... 
Mount  Carbon  R.  R  

Beaver  Meadow  Kail-road  and  Branches  

Hazleton  Coal  Co.'sR.  R  

Buck  Mountain  CoalCo.'s  R.  R.,  (exclusive  of  land)  
Big  Mountain  Coal  Co.'s  R.  R  

Tioga  R.  R  

Barclay  R.  R.  and  Coal  Co.'s  R.  K   

New  York  and  Middle  Coal  Field  Co.'s  R.  R.,  (unfln'd). 
Columbia  Coal  and  Iron  Co.'s  R  R  

Carbon  Run  Coal  Co.'s  R.  R  

Lykens  Valley  R.  R  

Union  Canal  Co  '•  R  R  

Swatara  R  R  

Lorberry  Creek  R.  R  

Sundry  Coal  roads,  private  and  underground,  to  the 

Morris  Canal,  (present  total  cost)  

605 
102 

108 

],433>i 

44 
24 

63 

111,444,885 
5,612,000 
1,994,819 
3,250,000 
5,048,340 

Pennsylvania  Coal  Co.'s  R.  R  

Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  and  R.  R.,  (estimated)  
Central  Rail-road  of  New  Jersey  

Total, 

815     1,564  J  i  $127,350,044 

The  total  Capital  invested  in  Manufactories,  at  Lowell,  was,  in 

1846 $10,650,000 

On  January  1st,  1855,  the  latest  date  at  hand,  Hunt's  Merchants' 
Magazine,  i  October  No.,  1855,)  states  that  the  capital  invested 
In  all  the  Manufactories,  at  Lowell,  wa» $14,000,000 


COMMERCIAL    RELATIONS   OF    PHILADELPHIA.  85 

But  the  development  of  the  mineral  regions  of  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  was  not  the  only  scheme  that  abstracted 
the  attention  and  capital  of  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia 
from  the  prosecution  of  Foreign  Commerce.  The  West 
was  becoming  known  as  "  The  Great  "West."  Regiment 
after  regiment  of  hardy  pioneers,  armed  with  axes  and 
plowshares,  had  entered  the  wilderness  to  subdue  it: 
each  successive  year  the  frontiers  of  civilization  were 
carried  further  westward;  production  outran  consump- 
tion ;  and  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  were  called  upon 
to  furnish  superior  avenues  and  outlets  for  the  prod- 
uce of  the  West  to  the  best  markets  on  the  Atlantic 
coast.  A  grand  system  of  internal  improvements  was 
therefore  resolved  upon,  and  undertaken,  to  connect  the 
metropolis  of  Pennsylvania  with  the  Ohio  River  and  the 
Lakes.  The  Erie  Canal  in  New  York  was  then  near  its 
completion,  and  herculean  and  partially  successful  efforts 
were  being  made  to  divert  the  trade  of  the  West  away 
from  its  natural  and  geographical  channels  by  a  cir- 
cuitous route  to  New  York.  But  the  means  adopted 
by  Pennsylvania  to  establish  superior  connections  with 
the  West  were  less  successful  in  execution  than  praise- 
worthy in  conception.  The  Alleghanies  defied  the  skill 
of  the  engineers,  broke  up  the  chain  of  communication 
into  disjointed  links ;  and  the  attempts  made  to  unite 
them— constructing  part  rail-road,  and  part  canal — in- 
stead of  affording  to  shippers  and  producers  the  promised 
benefits,  only  fully  succeeded  in  arousing  the  fears  of  for- 
eign creditors,  and  provoking  the  sarcasm  of  the  witty  Dean 
of  St.  Paul's  at  the  "the  drab-coated  gentry."  No  one 
acquainted  with  the  physical  characteristics  of  this  State 
— its  magnificent  scenery,  its  rugged  acclivities  and  ira 
penetrable  fastnesses — need  be  told  that  to  construct  rail- 
roads and  canals  within  its  limits,  is  and  must  be  a  seri- 
ous and  costly  undertaking.  The  cost  of  the  Commercial 


86  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Marine  of  many  recognized  commercial  nations  is  a  mere 
bagatelle  in  comparison  with  the  vast  sums  expended  in 
Pennsylvania  for  internal  improvements  alone. 

On  the  first  of  January,  1858,  Pennsylvania  had  2773J 
miles  of  rail-road,  costing  $135,166,609 ;  or,  estimating 
the  population  of  the  State  at  three  millions,  the  amount 
expended  was  at  the  rate  of  $45  for  each  man,  woman, 
and  child  in  the  Commonwealth.  The  cost  of  construct- 
ing the  canals  within  its  borders,  exceeding  as  they  do 
1200  miles  in  length,  has  been  stated  at  thirty  millions 
of  dollars.  To  these  immense  sums,  if  we  add  the 
amounts  expended  in  seeking  for  minerals,  sinking 
shafts,  opening  mines,  disinterring  iron  ore,  and  erect- 
ing works  to  manufacture  it,  the  vastness  of  expenditure 
incurred  for  the  development  of  internal  wealth  may 
well  astonish  and  appal  even  those  to  whom  the  theme 
has  become  familiar  by  daily  contemplation.  In  all  these 
enterprises,  the  capital  and  credit  of  Philadelphia  are 
conspicuous.  Owning  property  equal  to  one  third  the 
assessed  value  of  the  property  in  the  entire  State,  the 
city  has  contributed  more  than  one  half  of  the  cost  of 
public  and  private  improvements.  To  aid  these,  her 
merchants  sold  their  ships :  to  sustain  them,  her  capital- 
ists declined  the  profits  of  Bottomry  and  Respondentia. 

But  the  prodigies  achieved  within  the  limits  of  Penn- 
sylvania, great  as  they  are,  did  not  exhaust  the  zeal  of 
the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  in  behalf  of  internal  im- 
provements. Their  brethren  in  neighboring  States,  in 
the  South  and  the  West,  have  drawn  largely  for  contri- 
butions to  such  projects ;  and,  to  the  extent  of  our  abil- 
ity, their  drafts  have  not  been  dishonored.  The  port- 
folios of  our  merchants  are  now  plethoric  with  such 
obligations  and  bonds;  and  when  presently  available, 
will  build  an  Armada  of  merchant  ships.  If  it  were 
practicable  to  ascertain  how  many  thousands  of  mer- 


COMMERCIAL   RELATIONS    OF    PHILADELPHIA.  8T 

chants  are  now  thriving,  how  many  tens  of  thousands 
of  farmers  in  the  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Wis- 
consin, and  the  South,  are  now  comparatively  wealthy, 
because  of  their  present  facilities  for  reaching  good 
markets — facilities  encouraged  and  perfected  through 
aid  from  Philadelphia — the  revelation  would  so  interweave 
the  ties  of  friendship  with  those  of  mutual  mercantile 
interests,  as  to  form  a  bond  indissoluble  by  any  assaults. 

The  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  it  is  then  safe  to  aver,  are 
eminently  patriotic,  even  in  their  business  predilections. 
They  have  withdrawn  their  capital  largely  from  pros- 
perous commerce,  to  invest  it  in  Mines,  Rail-roads,  Iron- 
works, and  Manufactories,  preferring  to  aid  the  develop- 
ment of  the  resources  of  the  interior  even  at  the  ex- 
pense of  commercial  importance  and  reputation  abroad. 
Without  giving  assent  to  the  doctrines  of  Chinese  econo- 
mists, who  hold  that  Foreign  Commerce  is  generally  pre- 
judicial to  a  State,  because,  by  diminishing  the  quantity 
of  desirable  products,  it  must  raise  their  price  to  the 
home  consumer,  they  nevertheless  believe  that  a  pros- 
perous, active  interchange  of  products  between  citizens 
of  the  respective  States  is  more  conducive  to  the  perma- 
nence and  well-being  of  the  Republic  than  even  a  more 
profitable  commerce  with  foreigners.  Cherishing,  then, 
as  they  have  done,  and  as  they  do,  what  they  presume 
to  be  the  best  interests  of  our  whole  country,  and  having 
proved,  by  -abandoning  their  share  in  the  rich  commerce 
of  the  Indies,  the  sincerity  of  their  desire  to  accelerate 
its  industrial  development,  the  Merchants  and  Capitalists 
of  Philadelphia  would  seem  to  be  entitled  to  praises  rather 
than  taunts  for  the  decline  of  their  city  in  direct  Foreign 
Commerce  ;  and  certainly  they  have  established  a  claim  to 
the  high  place  which  they  hold  in  the  friendly  regard  of 
their  intelligent  fellow-merchants  throughout  the  Union. 

But  while   acknowledging  a  decline  in  the   Foreign 


88  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Commerce  of  Philadelphia,  it  is  but  justice  to  state  that 
the  decline  is  more  apparent  than  real.  The  number  of 
foreign  arrivals,  and  the  amount  of  duties  paid  at  the 
Custom  House  here,  are  no  index  to  the  imports  of  the 
merchants  of  this  city.  Many  of  the  most  extensive  im- 
porting-houses — and  there  are  some,  we  were  about  to 
say,  quite  too  extensive  for  the  country's  welfare — import 
nearly  all  their  goods  via  New  York.  The  largesses  given 
by  Government  to  steamers  connecting  with  that  port,  and 
the  peculiar  facilities  and  inducements  said  to  be  held  out 
to  shippers,  not  to  mention  the  rumor  recently  current 
that  duties  are  sometimes  lower  there  than  elsewhere, 
influence  our  merchants  in  directing  their  foreign  cor- 
respondents to  ship  goods  to  Philadelphia  via  New  York. 
The  advantage  that  the  New  York  importer  has  over  his 
Philadelphia  competitor  is  simply  a  saving  in  freight 
between  the  two  cities — an  item  perhaps  not  exceeding 
$2  per  ton,  or  at  least  so  unimportant  on  imported  light 
and  costly  fabrics  as  to  add  no  appreciable  per-centage  to 
the  cost.  That  this  advantage  is  overbalanced  by  other  cir- 
cumstances— lower  rents,  less  extravagant  expenditures 
for  personal  gratification,  etc. — is  evidenced  by  the  fact 
that  scores  of  New  York  jobbers  visit  Philadelphia  every 
season,  to  replenish  their  stocks  from  the  shelves  of  the 
importers,  knowing  that  they  can  do  so,  besides  paying 
fare,  freight  both  ways,  and  all  other  expenses,  at  a 
cheaper  rate  than  they  can  purchase  the  same  goods 
from  any  of  their  neighbors.  One  Fancy  Goods  import- 
ing-house  in  particular,  whose  operations  came  within 
the  range  of  my  personal  observation,  attracts  New  York 
and  Boston  jobbers  as  regularly  and  more  extensively 
than  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis  buyers.  This  is  explained 
in  part  by  the  fact  that  the  house  has  more  favorable  con- 
nections in  Europe  than  their  competitors  in  other  cities, 
and  partly  by  their  ability  to  sell  at  a  lower  per-centage 
of  profit  in  consequence  of  diminished  expenses.  These 


COMMERCIAL   RELATIONS   WITH   THE    SOUTH    AND   WEST.    89 

two  circumstances,  and  especially  favorable  connections 
with  the  foreign  manufacturers,  would  seem  to  be  of  more 
importance,  in  a  regular  importing  business,  than  any 
other;  and  these,  Philadelphia  merchants, — whose  honor- 
able character  and  mercantile  probity  have  ever  been  un 
derstood  and  appreciated  in  Europe, — enjoy  peculiar  fa 
cilities  for  obtaining.  But  in  all  probability  I  would  not 
misrepresent  popular  feeling  if  I  were  to  say  that  Phila- 
delphia does  not  covet  the  distinction  of  being  a  great  im- 
porting mart.  She  would  be  content  if  other  cities  mo- 
nopolized the  doubtful  honor  of  importing  hither  French 
gimcracks  and  German  cloths  in  exchange  for  gold  and 
silver — our  commercial  life-blood — provided  her  mer- 
chants were  encouraged  to  devote  their  energies  success- 
fully and  uninterruptedly,  to  building  up  Home  Industry 
and  American  Manufactures. 

III.  Commercial  Relations  with  the  South  and  West. 

Pennsylvania,  it  has  been  frequently  observed,  is  the 
only  State  in  the  Union  that  has  a  navigable  outlet  to 
the  ocean,  a  footing  upon  the  Lakes,  and  a  command 
of  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi.  This  position  necessa- 
rily gives  the  metropolis  of  the  Commonwealth  points 
of  superiority  over  all  the  other  great  cities  on  the  At- 
lantic coast,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  and  distributing 
merchandise  to  and  from  a  great  portion  of  the  South 
and  West.  "With  the  ocean,  and  the  principal  cities  of 
the  Southern  seaboard,  Philadelphia  has  regular  and 
direct  communication  by  way  of  the  Delaware  River ; 
and  in  consequence  of  improvements  in  locomotion,  the 
distance  is  now  less  than  at  any  previous  time.  "With 
the  gate  of  the  West,  Philadelphia  is  connected  by  canal 
and  a  magnificent  railway ;  and  at  Pittsburg,  with  all  the 
cities  and  towns  on  the  navigable  waters  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  by  thousands  of  miles  of  river  navi- 


90 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


gation,  and  also  by  rail-roads  joining  Cleveland  and  Chi- 
cago on  the  one  side,  Wheeling  and  Cincinnati  on  the 
other,  continuing  through  Kentucky  to  Nashville,  and 
prolonged  with  a  continuous,  unbroken  gauge  westward- 
ly,  beyond  St.  Louis,  on  the  Mississippi.  Philadelphia 
has  also  an  advantage  over  New  York  and  Boston,  in 
being  considerably  nearer  to  all  the  prominent  foci  of  the 
products  of  the  Great  West.  The  principal  rail-road  lines 
from  New  York — the  Erie  and  Central — it  has  been  aptly 
remarked,  lie  on  the  circumference  line  to  the  West ;  while 
the  great  rail-road  of  Pennsylvania — the  Pennsylvania 
Central — is  on  a  diameter  line.  Their  direction  is  to  the 
Lakes — ours  to  the  West.  But  to  exhibit  more  clearly  the 
relative  position  of  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and  Boston, 
with  reference  to  proximity  to  the  chief  centres  of  trade 
in  the  West,  we  have  prepared  the  following  Table,  from 
data  furnished  in  "Dinsmore's  Railway  Guide,"  published 
in  New  York : 


Clerel'd, 
Ohio. 
Mile.. 

Cincinna- 
ti, Ohio. 
Mile.. 

Chicago, 
111.. 
Mile.. 

Indlanap- 
olii,  lod. 
Mile.. 

St.  I.  .nils, 
Mo. 
Mile.. 

From  Philadelphia,  via  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road, to  Pittsburg  ;  thence  by  shortest 
Ball-road  route  to  

001 

703 

851 

746 

1000 

New  York,  via  Hudson  River  to  Piermont,  and 
the  Erie  Rail-road  to  Dunkirk,  468  miles  ; 
thence  by  shortest  Rail-road  route  

612 

867 

054 

893 

11*4 

New  York,  via  Hudson  River  Rail-road  to 
Albany  ;  thence  by  Rail-road  to  Buffalo,  412 
miles  ;  thence  as  above  

623 

880 

967 

906 

1167 

Boston,  via  Western  Rail-road  to  Albany  and 
Buffalo,  498  miles;  thence  as  above  

681 

936 

1023 

962 

1223 

Hence,  it  is  manifest  that  Philadelphia  has  consider- 
able advantage  over  New  York  and  Boston,  in  nearness 
to  the  principal  centres  of  trade  in  the  West.  The  sav- 
ing in  distance  will  be  regarded  as  an  important  one  by 
the  weary  traveler,  while  its  effects  in  reducing  the  cost  of 
transportation  will  be  shown  hereafter.  It  is  true,  New 
York  has  a  shorter  route  to  the  places  named  than  by  the 
above-mentioned  rail-roads  ;  but  that  is,  via  Philadelphia 
and  Pittsburg.  Pennsylvania  is  truly  the  Key-stone 
State  ;  and  those  who  would  pass  and  repass  from  the 


COMMERCIAL  RELATIONS  WITH  THE  SOUTH  AND  WEST.      91 

West  to  the  East,  may  congratulate  themselves  that  their 
most  direct  route  carries  them  over  a  rail-road  so  well 
managed  as  the  Pennsylvania  Central,  and  through  a  city 
so  beautiful  as  Philadelphia. 

To  understand,  more  especially,  the  relative  cost  of 
transportation  ly  railway,  from  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
and  Boston,  to  the  commercial  centres  of  the  West,  we 
procured  the  published  Tariffs  of  Freight  for  1857,  of  the 
principal  rail-road  lines  receipting  through  :  and  the  fol- 
lowing Tables  will  exhibit  the  results.  Any  one  choos- 
ing to  do  so,  may  verify  the  statements  made  by  pro- 
curing the  freight  tariffs  for  1857,  of  the  Boston  and 
Worcester,  New  York  and  Erie,  and  Pennsylvania  Cen- 
tral Rail-roads. 

SUMMER    RATES-1857. 


Philadelphia  to  Columbus,  Ohio  

1st  Class. 

2d  Class. 

3d  Class. 

4th  Clasa, 

1.05 
1.38 
1.43 
1.10 
1.43 
1.48 
1.10 
1.43 
1.48 
1.20 
1.48 
1.63 
1.45 
1.63 
1.68 
1.45 
1.73 
1.78 
1.30 
1.48 
1.48 
1.46 
1.62 
1.67 
1.70 
1.80 
1.98 
1.88 
1.90 
2.08 
1.00 
1.08 
1.13 
1.50 
1.58 
1.58 

90 
1.05 
1.08 
95 
1.05 
1.08 
95 
1.05 
1.08 
1.00 
1.10 
1.13 
1.20 
1.25 
1.28 
1.20 
1.30 
1.33 
1.10 
1.13 
1.11 
1.20 
1.25 
1.28 
1.40 
1.35 
1.48 
1.56 
1.45 
1.58 
80 
80 
83 
1.10 
1.18 
1.18 

80 
88 
91 
85 
93 
96 
85 
93 
96 
85 
93 
96 
1.02 
1.08 
1.11 
1.00 
1.08 
1.11 
90 
96 
96 
1.00 
1.08 
1.07 
1.20 
1.20 
1.31 
1.30 
1.30 
1.42 
68 
68 
71 
1.00 
1.06 
1.06 

60 
71 
84 
60 
73 
86 
60 
73 
86 
65 
75 
88 
80 
88 
1.01 
80 
90 
1.03 
75 
77 
67 
80 
86 
95 
98 

1.20 
1.10 
1.08 
1.32 
65 
53 
66 
80 
87 
07 

New  York,      "          "        

Philadelphia  to  Cincinnati  

New  York,      "          "         

Philadelphia  to  Indianapolis  

New  York,      "            "       

Boston,             "            "      

Philadelphia  to  Louisville  (all  Rail) 

New  York,      "          "        " 

Boston,             "          "        ....(River  from  Cincinnati)... 

New  York,      "          "         

Philadelphia  to  Forte  Wayne  

New  York,      "            "       

Boston,            "            "       

Philadelphia  to  Lafayette  

New  York,      "          "         

Philadelphia  to  St.  Louis  

New  York,      "         "          

New  York,      "      "            

Philadelphia  to  Cleveland  

New  York,      "         "         

Philadelphia  to  Chicago  

New  York,       "         "         .  ,    , 

Boston,             "         "         

92  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


WINTER   RATES-1857  and  1858. 


Philadelphia  to  Columbus,  

lit  Claw. 

SdClau. 

3d  Class. 

4th  Clu*. 

1.20 
1.50 
1.60 
1.28 
1.58 
1.68 
1.30 
1.60 
1.70 
1.45 
1.75 
1.85 
1.60 
1.90 
2.00 
1.70 
2.00 
2.10 
1.55 
1.84 
1.94 
1.71 
1.98 
2.08 
2.00 
2.30 
2.40 
2.05 
2.35 
2.45 
1.20 
1.35 
1.45 
1.90 
2.10 
2.10 

1.05 
1.23 
1.33 
1.10 
1.28 
1.38 
1.15 
1.30 
1.40 
1.20 
1.40 
1.50 
1.35 
1.55 
1.65 
1.40 
1.60 
1.70 
1.25 
1.46 
1.56 
1.35 
1.58 
1.68 
1.65 
1.90 
2.00 
1.72 
1.95 
2.05 
95 
1.05 
1.15 
1.45 
1.60 
1.60 

85 
95 
1.03 
95 
1.08 
1.16 
1.00 
1.10 
1.18 
1.08 
1.20 
1.28 
1.23 
1.35 
1.43 
1.15 
1.35 
1.43 
1.05 
1.18 
1.26 
1.14 
1.30 
1.38 
1.40 
1.60 
1.68 
1.48 
1.65 
1.73 
85 
85 
93 
1.25 
1.40 
1.40 

70 
82 
90 
80 
85 
1.00 
80 
85 
1.00 
85 
90 
1.05 
1.00 
1.00 
1.20 
1.00 
1.05 
1.20 
85 
1.00 
1.05 
96 
1.09 
1.14 
1.15 
1.30 
1.35 
1.20 
1.35 
1.40 
70 
75 
80 
1.00 
1.10 
1.10 

New  York       "         "         

Philadelphia  to  Dayton,  

New  York        "        "           

Philadelphia  to  Cincinnati.  

New  York        "           "        

Philadelphia  to  Indianapolis  

New  York,      "            "        

Boston              "            "        

Philadelphia  to  Louisville  

New  York       "         "         . 

New  York       "           "        

Philadelphia  to  Lafayette  

New  York       "          "          

Philadelphia  to  St  Louis  

New  York,       "         "          

Philadelphia  to  Cairo  

New  York,      "     "            

Philadelphia  to  Cleveland  

Philadelphia  to  Chicago  

New  York,      "         "           

Boston,            "         «'         

A  Table  showing  the  Saving  on  a  Ton  (2240  Ibs.)  of  First  Class  Freight 
by  Shipping,  from  Philadelphia  instead  of  New  York  or  Boston. 

HEW 

Summer. 

TORK. 

Winter. 

•CM 

Summer. 

row. 
Winter. 

$7.39 
7.39 
7.39 
6.27 
4.03 
5.15 
4.03 
3.68 
2.24 
45 
1.79 
1.79 

$6.72 
6.72 
6.72 
6.72 
6.72 
6.72 
6.50 
6.05 
6.72 
6.72 
3.36 
4.48 

$8.61 
8.51 
8.51 
7.39 
5.15 
7.39 
4.03 
4.70 
6.27 
4.48 
2.91 
1.79 

$8.96 
8.96 
8.96 
8.96 
8.96 
8.96 
8.74 
8.29 
8.96 
8.96 
5.60 
4.48 

Dayton    Ohio  

Cincinnati   Ohio.  .  .             

Lafayette,             "      

Cairo  .              

Chicago,  Illinois  

These  Tables  "speak  for  themselves" — comment  cannot 
add  to  their  force.  They  demonstrate,  conclusively,  that 
every  shipper  who,  during  the  past  year,  sent  Western 
merchandise  by  rail-road  from  the  points  designated,  to 
New  York  or  Boston,  that  could  have  been  sold  as  well  in 
Philadelphia — every  "Western  merchant  who  purchased 


COMMERCIAL  RELATIONS  WITH  THE  SOUTH  AND  WEST.     93 

goods  in  those  cities  on  no  better  terms  than  he  could  have 
purchased  them  in  Philadelphia,  and  sent  them  home  by 
rail-road,  expended  unnecessarily,  or  in  other  words,  lost 
from  one  dollar  and  seventy-nine  cents  to  eight  dollars  and 
ninety-six  cents  on  every  ton  usually  classified  as  first-class 
freight.  These  are  the  facts,  and  the  deductions  from  facts, 
with  respect  to  shipments  "all  the  way  by  rail-road." 

Now,  it  may  be  said  that  New  York  and  Boston  have 
the  advantage  of  Lake  navigation  to  many  prominent 
points  in  the  "West.  We  assert — and  appeal  to  the  mana- 
gers of  the  New  York  and  Erie  and  Boston  and  Wor- 
cester rail-roads,  who  receipt  through  both  "  all  the  way 
by  rail-road  or  by  steamer  on  the  Lakes,"  as  shippers  pre- 
fer— that  this  is  no  advantage.  The  Lake  freights  are  the 
regulators  of  the  rail-road  charges,  which  barely  exceed 
them  by  the  cost  of  insurance  necessary  to  cover  the 
great  risks  attending  navigation  on  the  Lakes.  But 
Philadelphia,  on  the  contrary,  has  a  very  important  ad- 
vantage, in  addition  to  that  stated  in  the  Tables,  by  com- 
municating at  Pittsburg  with  thousands  of  miles  of  safe 
river  navigation,  extending  southwardly  to  New  Orleans 
and  the  ocean,  and  westwardly  to  St.  Paul,  on  the  Mis- 
sissippi ;  and,  in  fact,  to  all  the  cities  and  towns  on  navi- 
gable waters  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  The  advantage 
in  shipping  from  Philadelphia  to  Pittsburg,  and  thence 
by  the  Ohio  River  to  Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  over  ship- 
ping to  those  points  by  the  Northern  rail-road  lines, 
amounts,  in  addition  to  the  saving  stated  above,  to  about 
$5  per  ton  on  first-class  goods,  $4  on  second,  $3  on  third- 
class,  and  $2  on  very  heavy  goods;  while  to  Nashville, 
Memphis,  Cairo,  St.  Louis,  and  all  points  south  of  New 
Albany,  Ind.,  the  additional  saving  is  nearly  double  this 
amount — that  is,  about  $10  per  ton  on  first-class  goods,  $8 
on  second,  $6  on  third,  and  about  $3  per  ton  on  fourth- 
class.  It  is  thus  evident,  as  experienced  shippers  know, 
7 


94  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

that  freight  from  the  West,  bound  for  European  mar- 
kets, can  be  brought  to  Philadelphia,  and  shipped  hence, 
landing  it  at  its  destined  port  abroad,  at  cheaper  paying 
rates  than  by  way  of  New  York.  Indeed,  the  leading 
products  of  the  West — for  instance,  flour,  the  products  oi 
the  hog,  whisky,  etc. — can  be  shipped  to  Philadelphia,  and 
hence  at  least  half  the  distance  to  Liverpool,  for  the  cost 
of  transporting  them  to  New  York.  Further,  in  view 
of  the  facts  stated,  it  is  also  obvious  that  a  Western  mer- 
chant, purchasing  goods  in  Philadelphia,  may  have  his 
preference  rewarded  by  a  saving  in  the  cost  of  transport- 
ing them  home.  The  only  practical  question,  then,  for  him 
to  consider  is,  whether  it  is  probable  he  can  make  his  pur- 
chases in  the  Philadelphia  market  as  cheaply  as  in  any  other ; 
for,  supposing  the  terms  to  be  the  same,  he  will  never- 
theless, by  doing  so,  obtain  an  advantage.  We  beg  per- 
mission to  offer  a  suggestion  or  two  upon  this  probability, 
for  the  consideration  of  those  who  study  and  appreciate 
economy. 

We  may  remark,  at  the  outset,  that  any  one  who  has 
taken  time  to  examine,  compare,  and  reflect  upon  the 
characteristics  of  the  respective  markets,  the  develop- 
ment of  Manufactures,  and  the  comparative  facilities  for 
manufacturing,  will  not  need  any  arguments  to  convince 
him  that  the  probability  of  an  advantage  in  price  must  be 
altogether  in  favor  of  the  Philadelphia  market.  Let  those, 
however,  who  have  not  already  done  so,  examine  the 
subject  in  its  details,  and  they  will  be  astonished  to  dis- 
cover how  few  classes  of  goods  constituting  a  country 
trader's  usual  assortment  are  not,  to  greater  or  less  extent, 
made  in  or  near  Philadelphia.  For  instance,  with  regard 
to  Domestic  Dry  Croods: — According  to  the  census,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1850,  contained  within  her  borders  a  larger 
number  of  factories  for  the  making  of  cotton  and  woolen 
goods  than  any  State  in  the  Union  ;  even  more  than  the 


COMMERCIAL  RELATIONS  WITH  THE  SOUTH  AND  WEST.     95 

great  manufacturing  State  of  Massachusetts,  and  consid- 
erably more  than  New  York.  The  former  had  213  cotton 
and  119  woolen  factories,  and  the  latter  86  cotton  and  249 
for  wool ;  while,  in  Pennsylvania,  there  were  588  of  these 
establishments  in  all,  of  which  208  were  employed  in  the 
cotton  and  380  in  the  woolen  manufacture.  The  extent  to 
which  Philadelphia  is  engaged  in  the  production  of  these 
goods,  will  be  illustrated  in  another  place  (see  DRY  GOODS 
MANUFACTURE)  ;  but  we  may  state  here,  that  one  firm, 
Messrs.  ALFRED  JENKS  &  SON,  manufacturers  of  cotton 
and  woolen  machinery,  supplied  the  mills  of  this  city 
alone,  during  the  past  year,  with  800  looms  for  weaving 
checks,  and  on  which  could  be  woven  twenty  thousand 
yards  per  diem.  The  New  York  Tribune  of  May  1,  1857, 
in  an  editorial,  urging  greater  attention  to  manufactures 
in  that  locality,  remarked,  we  suppose  with  truth,  "  Phil- 
adelphia has  at  least  twenty  manufactories  of  textile  fabrics 
where  New  York  has  one  ;  and  her  superiority  in  the  fabri- 
cation of  metals,  though  less  decided,  is  still  undeniable." 
Cottonades,  checks,  carpetings,  Germantown  hosiery  and 
woolen  goods,  ribbons,  sewing-silks,  military  goods,  &c., 
are  manufactured  here  to  an  immense  extent ;  and  of 
these,  New  York  and  other  jobbers  are  constant  and  ac- 
ceptable customers  to  the  amount  of  millions  annually. 
But,  besides  the  vast  quantities  of  dry  goods  manufac- 
tured in  and  near  this  city,  all  the  principal  mills  of  New 
England,  and  elsewhere,  consign  their  fabrics  to  agencies 
established  here,  with  authority  to  sell  them,  frequently 
at  an  abatement  from  invoice  prices.  The  first  agency 
for  the  sale  of  domestic  fabrics  in  the  United  States, 
was  that  of  ELIJAH  WARING,  established  in  this  city  about 
the  year  1805 ;  and  from  that  day  to  this,  the  domestic 
Dry  Goods  Commission-houses  of  Philadelphia  have 
maintained  a  position  alike  honorable  to  themselves; 
advantageous  to  American  manufactures ;  and  with  one 


96  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

exception,  viz.,  too  great  liberality  in  giving  credit  to 
strangers,*  beneficial  to  the  city. 

With  respect  to  Foreign  Dry  Goods,  the  importing-housea 
of  Philadelphia  certainly  possess  the  same  facilities  for  pro- 
curing desirable  selections  on  advantageous  terms  as  any 
others  do ;  and  in  some  instances  enjoy  unusually  favorable 
connections  in  Europe,  established  long  since,  and  by 
means  of  them  secure  perhaps  more  than  their  share  of 
bargains.  The  stocks  are  generally  selected  by  resident 
partners,  who  know  the  wants  and  consult  the  interests 
of  purchasers ;  and  therefore  they  consist,  less  than  some 
others,  of  the  unsaleable  refuse  of  London  warehouses. 

Proposing,  as  we  do,  to  make  a  minute  and  detailed 
examination  of  the  manufacturing  industry  of  Philadel- 
phia, it  would  not  be  proper  here  to  anticipate  its  results; 
but,  for  the  benefit  of  anxious  mercantile  inquirers,  we 
may  state  further,  that  more  than  four  millions  of  dol- 
lars worth  of  fine  Soots  and  Shoes  are  annually  made  in 
this  city ;  while  of  the  common,  cheap,  pegged-work  of 
New  England,  Philadelphia  is  also  a  large  purchaser, 
consumer,  and  distributer.  The  quality  of  our  manufac- 
tures in  this  department  is  so  generally  and  highly  appre- 
ciated, that  several  of  the  manufacturers  in  Lynn,  Mass., 
with  a  view  of  attracting  additional  custom,  announce 
on  their  signs,  "  Philadelphia  Shoes  for  sale."  Of  Edu- 
cational and  Medical  Books,  the  publishers  of  Philadelphia 
are  generally  recognized  as  leaders ;  and  for  the  distribu- 
tion of  books  of  all  kinds,  Henry  0.  Carey,  the  distin- 
guished political  economist,  has  asserted  that  Philadel- 
phia has  the  largest  book  distributing  house  in  the  world. 
As  respects  Iron,  the  last  census  showed  that  nearly  one- 
half  of  the  pig,  cast,  and  wrought  iron,  made  in  the 

•  The  late  panic  disclosed  the  fact,  that  a  prominent  dry  goods  jobbing- 
house  that  failed,  in  New  York  city,  was  indebted  to  a  commission-house 
in  Philadelphia,  in  a  sum  but  little  short  of  $100,000— a  line  of  credit 
entirely  beyond  the  limits  of  prudence. 


COMMERCIAL  RELATIONS  WITH  THE  SOUTH  AND  WEST.     97 

United  States,  was  the  product  of  the  furnaces  and  forges 
of  Pennsylvania;  and  the  latest  statistics  show,  that  of 
the  782,958  tons  of  iron  produced  in  the  United  States, 
in  1856,  Pennsylvania  produced  448,515  tons.  Of  the 
Manufactures  of  Iron,  as  stoves,  hollow-ware,  and  those 
articles,  usually  denominated  Hardware, — nails,  screws, 
saws,  forks,  shovels,  enameled-ware,  hinges,  bolts,  nuts 
and  washers,  Philadelphia  is  an  immense  producer ;  and, 
for  the  sale  of  their  products,  the  hardware  manufactu- 
rers of  Old  and  New  England  have  agencies  established 
in  this  city,  authorized  to  sell  at  factory  prices.  In  short, 
the  market  of  Philadelphia  differs  in  many  important 
respects  from  most  others,  resembling  from  one  point  of 
view  a  Leipsic  Fair,  and  from  another  the  Eastern  Ba- 
zaars. Manufacturers'  depots  are  often  situated  between 
a  commission-house  and  a  house  importing  the  same 
class  of  goods;  fabrics,  fresh  from  the  loom,  may  be 
found  close  to  the  gold-tipped  embroideries  of  France, 
or  the  crasse  dresses  of  Turkey;  factories  adjoin  stores, 
and  stores  are  surrounded  by  manufactories ;  while,  di- 
verging from  the  city,  are  numerous  roadways,  constantly 
traversed  by  iron  horses,  bringing  fuel  from  Nature's  vast 
magazines  not  far  distant ;  and  from  the  East,  caravans  of 
boats,  propellers,  cars,  come  laden  with  the  products  of  dis- 
tant workshops,  seeking  here  a  central  point  for  redistri- 
bution throughout  the  South  and  the  West.  Hence  it  is  ob- 
vious, that  a  purchaser  of  a  miscellaneous  stock,  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  a  rural,  town  or  city  population,  must  be,  when 
in  Philadelphia,  as  near  the  fountain  head,  where  goods 
are  as  yet  in  first  hands,  as  it  is  possible  for  him  to  get ; 
while  the  merchant,  who  visits  the  city  to  replenish  his 
mind  as  well  as  his  stock,  can  hardly  Ml,  in  a  world  of 
machinery,  literature  and  art,  as  this  is,  to  note  much 
that  is  to  him  novel,  and  carry  back  suggestions  that  will 
be  useful  to  himself  and  his  neighbors. 


98  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Is  it  not  probable,  then,  that  the  merchants  of  Phila- 
delphia, in  view  of  their  advantages,  with  manufactories 
all  around  them,  consignments  from  abroad  seeking  their 
markets  and  supplying  their  auction-houses,  with  abun- 
dance of  capital  and  good  credit,  can  buy  and  sell  on  terms 
as  favorable  as  any  of  their  competitors  ?  "We  have  no 
doubt  they  do  this ;  but  we  go  further,  and  insist  thai  those 
now  doing  business  have  mistaken  their  vocation,  unless, 
to  responsible  buyers,  they  actually  do  undersell  all  others. 
One  reason  that  we  have  for  entertaining  this  opinion  is, 
that  expenses  for  conducting  business  are  less  here  than 
in  most  other  large  cities.  In  the  city  of  New  York,  the 
leading  Dry  Goods  jobbing-house  pay,  or  did  recently 
pay,  as  we  are  informed,  an  annual  rent  of  $22,000  for 
their  store ;  and  a  prominent  wholesale  clothing-firm 
pay,  or  did  pay,  $28,000 ;  while  the  greatest  amount  of 
rent  paid  by  a  leading  firm,  in  a  similar  business  in 
Philadelphia,  that  I  have  heard  of,  and  for  which  equal, 
or  at  least  all  necessary  accommodations  are  procured,  is 
$8,000.  It  is  true,  the  "Stewart"  of  Philadelphia  deems 
$14,000  a  moderate  compensation  for  his  magnificent 
store,  but  his  customers  are  principally  the  wealthy  of 
the  city.  A  proportionate  difference  in  favor  of  Phil- 
adelphia prevails  in  rents,  generally,  for  dwelling-houses 
as  well  as  stores.  The  room  for  expansion  afforded  by 
the  plan  and  locality  of  the  city  multiplies  the  number 
of  eligible  sites,  and  consequently  diminishes  specu- 
lation and  prevents  monopoly.  The  demands  of  fash- 
ion and  extravagance,  also,  though  sufficiently  exor- 
bitant, are  less  onerous  in  Philadelphia;  and,  from 
these  and  other  circumstances,  it  would  seem  evident, 
without  ocular  demonstration,  that  a  merchant  in  Phil- 
adelphia can  afford  to  sell  at  a  per-centage  of  profit, 
which,  on  the  same  amount  of  business,  would  not  pay 
the  expenses  of  his  less  favorably  situated  competitor. 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES    FOR    MANUFACTURING.  99 

These  are  the  deductions  of  reason  and  common  sense. 
Their  importance  entitles  them  at  least  to  consideration, 
reflection,  and  experiment ;  hence  we  beg  those  who  are 
engaged  in  buying  and  selling,  inasmuch  as  their  mer- 
cantile success,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  mercantile 
class  throughout  the  country,  depend  upon  the  wisdom 
of  their  action,  to  test  the  respective  markets  fairly, — dis- 
regarding "  baits,"  which  are  quite  too  common  in  all,  and 
extending  their  view  beyond  exceptional  circumstances, — 
and  if  there  be  an  atom  of  truth  in  that  principle  of 
political  economy,  which  demonstrates  that  the  nearer 
the  place  of  production  the  cheaper  the  price,  they  will 
discover,  as  thousands  of  thriving  merchants  have  already 
done,  that  Philadelphia  is  the  CHEAPEST  SELLER,  and  NAT- 
URAL DISTRIBUTER  OF  MERCHANDISE  ADAPTED  TO  THE 
WANTS  OF  THE  SOUTH  AND  THE  WEST. 

Returning  from  this  digression  to  subjects  more  imme- 
diately connected  with  our  inquiries,  and  having  already 
adverted  to  the  moral  circumstances  that  have  an  effect 
upon  economy  of  production  in  Manufactures,  we  now 
proceed  to  consider  the  position  of  Philadelphia  with 
respect  to 

IV.  Physical  Advantages  for  Manufacturing. 

In  considering  Philadelphia  as  a  Manufacturing  centre, 
it  must  be  obvious,  from  previous  remarks,  and  still  more 
obvious  from  minute  information  respecting  the  topo- 
graphical and  geological  features  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
intimacy  of  connection  between  the  metropolis  and  the 
principal  mineral  sections  of  the  State,  that  Philadelphia 
and  its  vicinity  command,  in  the  first  place,  the  most  im- 
portant raw  materials  used  in  Manufactures;  and  secondly, 
the  agents  best  fitted  to  produce  power.  But  the  celebrity 
of  Pennsylvania  for  its  vast  deposits  of  IRON  and  COAL 
— those  primary  sources  of  England's  manufacturing 


100  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

greatness — is  so  widely  extended,  that  to  dilate  upon  their 
abundance  would  hardly  convey  any  additional  informa- 
tion to  any  person  of  ordinary  intelligence.  The  census 
of  1850,  as  we  previously  stated,  showed  that  nearly  one 
half  of  the  pig,  cast,  and  wrought  Iron  made  in  the 
United  States  was  from  her  forges  and  furnaces ;  while 
her  mines  of  "  black  diamonds,"  it  is  a  proverb,  are  only 
equalled  in  national  importance  by  the  gold  mines  of 
California.  The  district  in  Pennsylvania  that  produces 
the  most  Iron  and  the  cheapest  Coal,  viz.,  the  Valleys 
of  the  Lehigh,  the  Schuylkill,  and  a  part  of  the  Dela- 
ware— is  directly  tributary  to  Philadelphia,  procuring  its 
supplies  from  this  city,  and  selling  its  products  here  almost 
exclusively.  We  therefore  record  the  latest  statistics  of 
these  important  products. 

1.  IRON.  The  statistics  of  the  Iron  production  of 
Pennsylvania,  for  1856,  as  furnished  us  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  American  Iron  Association  in  Philadelphia, areas 

follows : 

Anthracite  Iron. 

Tons. 

Valley  of  the  Delaware  and  Lehigh,           ,  v-       .-._     '-    " "-  108,367 

Valley  of  the  Schuylkill,      -        -    'ri.'JU'.  ^ ';.!'  ".        -  60,882 

"        "      Susquehanua  and  Juniata,      -  76,971 

"        "      North  Branch  of  Susquehanna,      ...  56,411 

"        "      West  Branch  of             "      :»A  if-v^fc  .VI  4,340 

Charcoal  Iron,  including  Five  Coke  Furnaces. 
Eastern  and  Northern  Pennsylvania,  ....        53,160 

Charcoal,  Bi'umiitoiiy   Codl  and  Cuke  Iron. 
Western  Pennsylvania, 88,384 

Total,  -  -  iai>W)fc.{  ....  448,515 
The  statistics  of  the  Iron  production,  for  1857,  are  not 
as  yet  prepared,  but  will  probably  exhibit  an  increase 
over  that  of  the  previous  year.  A  comparison  of  results 
shows,  that  the  production  of  Anthracite  Iron  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania  is  an  increasing  one, — that  of  1854  having 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES   FOB   MANUFACTURING.         101 

been  67.8  per  cent.,  that  of  1855  having  been  74.4  per 
cent. ;  while  that  of  1856,  was  78.3  per  cent  of  the  total 
product  of  the  entire  United  States.  The  value  in  dol- 
lars of  the  product  for  1856,  assuming  the  average  price 
of  Anthracite  Iron  to  be  $27  per  ton,  and  Charcoal  Iron 
to  be  $33  per  ton,  is  as  follows : 

it  i  \  b 
Anthracite  Iron,  made  near  Philadelphia,  169,249  tons  at 

$27,  iaeut;; -  -  $4,569,723 

Charcoal  Iron,  made  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  53,160 

tons,  at  $33, 1,754,280 

Product  of  Anthracite  Iron,  in  Pennsylvania,  306,971 

tons,  at  $27,  &ftDC  'i- "  -I  '  *»_3*<*.  7.'>Ti  .  .  8,288,217 
Yalue  of  Anthracite  Iron  in  United  States,  393,509 

tons,  viz.,  at  $27,      *,Vfcj&  ^s*\  te*i  \A*«>  U*\s>4*\    10,624,743 

It  is  thus  manifest,  that  Philadelphia  is  situated  in  the 
district  that  is  entitled  to  be  called  the  centre  of  the  Iron 
production  of  the  United  States.  It  is  further  manifest, 
that  the  centre  of  the  Iron  interest  is  likely  to  remain 
in  the  district  tributary  to  Philadelphia,  inasmuch  as  the 
production  has  been  an  increasing  one ;  and,  the  estab- 
lishments situated  within  its  limits  have  been  able  to 
survive  disasters  that  have  borne  down  those  in  other 
places,  and  consequently  there  must  exist  circumstances 
peculiarly  favorable  to  economy  of  production. 

2.  COAL.  The  quantity  of  Coal  sent  to  market  from 
the  district  tributary  to  this  city,  was  as  follows  : — 

Product  of  the  Anthracite  Coal  Fields  of  Pennsylvania,  for  1857. 

Area  In  Acres.    Production  in  Ton*. 

1.  Southern  Coal  District,  comprising  the 

Schuylkill,   Pine   Grove,    and  Lyken 

Valley  regions,       -    .    -'f^i1^?   !      75,950         3,256,891 

2.  Middle  Coal  District,  comprising  the  Le- 

high,  Mahanoy,  and  Shamokin  regions,     85,525          1,582,786 

3.  Northern  Coal  District,  comprising  the 

Wyoming  and  Lackawanna  regions,         76,805         1,958,362 


Total  of  the  three  fields,       -        -        -        238,280         6,798,039 
The  value  of  this  product,  at  $2  per  ton,  the  minimum 


102  PHILADELPHIA  AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

price  at  the  mines,  would  be  $13,596,078,  while  the 
market  value  certainly  exceeds  thirty  millions  of  dollars.  In 
addition  to  Anthracite,  the  mines  of  Eastern  Pennsylva- 
nia produced,  last  year,  494,100  tons  of  semi- Anthracite 
and  Bituminous  coal,  and  those  west  of  the  Alleghanies, 
about  thirty-four  millions  of  bushels  of  Bituminous  coal, 
of  an  estimated  value  exceeding  three  millions  of  dollars. 
The  qualities  of  different  coals  have  necessarily  been 
made  the  subject  of  careful  analysis ;  and  their  relative 
value  has  been  tested  by  frequent  experiments.  We  be- 
lieve it  is  conceded  by  both  scientific  authority  and  prac- 
tical experience,  that  Pennsylvania  Anthracite  is  practi- 
cally the  cheapest  and  best  fuel  that  the  United  States  af- 
ford.* It  contains  about  90  per  cent,  of  carbon,  and, 

*  For  the  purposes  of  steam  navigation,  an  impression  formerly  prevailed 
that  the  Pennsylvania  Anthracite  was  inferior  to  the  Cumberland  coal, 
which,  it  is  acknowledged,  surpasses  in  strength  the  foreign  bituminous 
coals  of  Newcastle,  Liverpool,  Scotland,  Pictou,  and  Sydney.  In  January, 
1862,  a  series  of  experiments  were  undertaken  at  the  New  York  Navy  Yard 
with  the  boilers  of  the  United  States  Steamer  "  Fulton,"  to  settle  the  question 
of  relative  value  and  superiority  for  this  purpose.  The  result  is  given  in 
the  following  extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Engineer-in-Chief,  CHARLES  B. 
STUART,  to  Commodore  JOSEPH  SMITH,  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks. 

COMPARISON. 

The  coals  used  in  these  experiments  were  the  kinds  furnished  by  the 
agents  of  the  Government  for  the  use  of  the  United  States  Navy  Yard  and 
Steamers,  and  was  taken  indiscriminately  from  the  piles  in  the  yard,  with- 
out assorting. 

The  bituminous  was  from  the  "  Cumberland"  mines.  The  anthracite  was 
the  kind  known  as  "  White  Ash  Schuylkill." 

From  the  preceding  data,  it  appears  that,  in  regard  to  the  rapidity  of 
"  getting-up"  steam,  the  anthracite  exceeds  the  bituminous  thirty-six  per 
cent. 

That,  in  economical  evaporation  per  unit  of  fuel,  the  anthracite  exceeds 
the  bituminous  in  the  proportion  of  7.478  to  4.483,  or  66.8  per  cent. 

It  will  also  be  perceived,  that  the  result  of  the  third  experiment  on  the 
boilers  of  the  pumping-engine  at  the  New  York  Dry  Dock,  which  experi- 
ment was  entirely  differently  made  and  calculated  from  the  first  and  second 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES   FOR   MANUFACTURING.  103 

next  to  charcoal,  gives  out  more  heat  than  the  same  weight 
of  any  other  fuel.  So  far  as  at  present  known,  Pennsyl- 
vania is  the  only  State  where  this  valuable  mineral  can 

experiments,  gave  an  economical  superiority  to  the  anthracite  over  the  bitu- 
minous of  62.3  per  cent. — a  remarkably  close  approximation  to  the  result 
obtained  by  the  experiments  on  the  "  Fulton's"  boilers  (66.8  per  cent), 
particularly  when  it  is  stated  that  the  boilers  and  grates  of  the  pumping- 
engine  were  made  with  a  view  to  burning  bituminous  coal,  which  has  been 
used  since  their  completion,  while  those  of  the  "  Fulton"  were  constructed 
for  the  use  of  anthracite.  The  general  characters  of  the  boilers  were  simi- 
lar, both  having  return  drop-flues. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen,  from  the  experiments,  that,  without  allowing  for 
the  difference  of  weight  of  coal  that  can  be  stowed  in  the  same  bulk,  the 
engine  using  anthracite  could  steam  about  two-thirds  longer  than  with 
bituminous. 

These  are  important  considerations  in  favor  of  anthracite  coal  for  the  uses 
of  the  Navy,  without  taking  into  account  the  additional  amount  of  anthra- 
cite more  than  bituminous  that  can  be  placed  on  board  a  vessel  in  the  same 
bunkers  ;  or  the  advantages  of  being  free  from  smoke,  which  in  a  war-  steamer 
may  at  times  be  of  the  utmost  importance  in  concealing  the  movements  of 
the  vessel ;  and  also  the  almost,  if  not  altogether,  entire  freedom  from  spon- 
taneous combustion. 

The  results  of  the  experiments  made  last  spring  on  the  United  States 
steamer  "Vixen"  were  so  favorable,  that  I  recommended  to  the  Bureau 
of  Construction,  &c.,  the  use  of  anthracite  for  all  naval  steamers  at  that 
time  having,  or  to  be  thereafter  fitted  with,  iron  boilers ;  particularly  the 
steamers  "Fulton,"  "Princeton,"  and  "Alleghany,"  the  boilers  for  all  of 
which  were  designed  with  a  special  view  to  the  use  of  anthracite,  and  with 
the  approval  of  that  Bureau. 

The  "  Fulton's"  bunkers  are  now  filled  with  anthracite;  and  the  consump- 
tions referred  to  in  the  engineer's  report  on  that  steamer  show,  during  the 
short  time  she  has  been  at  sea,  that  the  anticipated  economy  has  been  fully 
realized. 

In  view  of  the  results  contained  in  this  report,  I  would  respectfully  re- 
commend to  the  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docks,  the  use  of  anthracite  in  the 
several  Navy  Yards,  and  especially  for  the  engine  of  the  Dry  Dock  at  the 
New  York  Navy  Varii. 

In  conclusion,  I  desire  the  approval  of  the  Bureau  to  make  such  investi- 
gations as  my  duties  will  permit,  with  regard  to  the  experience  of  the  dura- 
bility of  copper  boilers,  when  used  with  bituminous  or  anthracite  coal ; 
which  can  be  done  without  any  specific  expenditure. 

The  inquiry  may  prove  highly  important  to  the  Navy  Department,  as  the 


104  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

be  obtained  cheaply  and  in  unlimited  quantities ;  but 
within  her  borders  the  supply  is  seemingly  sufficient  to 
satisfy  the  probable  wants  of  this  country  for  centuries 
to  come. 

The  rapidity  with  which  Anthracite  coal  has  appreci- 
ated in  popular  estimation,  is  shown  by  the  increase  in 
the  demand  for  it.  In  1820,  only  365  tons  were  sent  to 
tide-water;  in  1840,  the  product  amounted  to  867,000 
tons;  in  1852,  it  had  reached  five  millions  of  tons  :  being 
an  increase  in  12  years,  from  1840  to  1852,  of  600  per 
cent.  Supposing  this  rate  of  augmentation  to  continue 
up  to  1870,  Gov.  Bigler  once  amused  himself  by  calcu- 
lating that  the  production  would  be  forty-five  millions 
of  tons,  worth,  at  the  present  prices  of  the  Philadelphia 
market,  the  sum  of  $180,000,000.  No  wonder  the  worthy 
Governor  was  moved  to  pronounce  this  a  gratifying  pic- 
ture, confirming  his  belief  "  that,  before  the  close  of  the 
present  century,  Pennsylvania,  in  point  of  wealth  and 
real  greatness,  would  stand  in  advance  of  all  her  sister 
States." 

In  the  cost  of  fuel,  Philadelphia  has  an  admitted  ad- 
vantage over  New  York  of  about  twenty-five  per  cent. ; 
over  Providence,  R.  L,  from  $1.75  to  $2.25  per  ton  ;  and 
over  Boston,  from  $2  to  $2.50  per  ton.  The  advantage, 
moreover,  which  Philadelphia  enjoys  from  controlling 
the  production  of  the  best  fuel,  in  addition  to  proximity, 
is  too  evident  to  need  illustration;  and  being  also  the 
central  and  chief  market  of  the  district  producing  the 

use  of  anthracite  under  copper  boilers  has  been  heretofore  generally  con- 
sidered as  more  injurious  than  bituminous  coal,  and  is  consequently  not 
used  by  Government  in  vessels  having  copper  boilers. 

Respectfully  submitted,  by  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  B.  STUART, 

JEnaineer-in- Chief,  U.  S.  Navy. 
Commodore  JOSEPH  SMITH, 

Chief  of  Bureau  of  Yards  and  Docki. 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES    FOR   MANUFACTURING.          105 

best  and  cheapest  iron,  it  would  seem  almost  superfluous 
to  inquire  further  as  to  her  capabilities  for  Manufactures. 

But  Iron  and  Coal,  though  the  most  important,  are 
not  the  only  useful  mineral  products  that  abound  in 
Eastern  Pennsylvania.  Copper  exists  extensively  in  seve- 
ral counties ;  Plumbago  is  obtained  in  Bucks  County,  and 
Zinc  in  the  vicinity  of  Bethlehem.  Marble,  well  adapted 
and  extensively  used  for  building  purposes,  has  long  been 
obtained  from  quarries  in  Montgomery  County,  a  few 
miles  above  Philadelphia.  Steatite,  or  Soapstone,  is  quar- 
ried extensively  on  the  Schuylkill,  above  Manayunk. 
Roofing  and  Ciphering  Slates  of  the  best  quality  are  found 
in  the  counties  of  Lehigh,  Monroe,  and  Northampton ; 
there  being  in  the  county  of  Lehigh  alone  some  thirty 
quarries  open,  with  a  capital  of  $60,000  invested,  employ- 
ing about  300  men,  and  producing  at  least  25,000  squares 
of  roofing-slates  per  annum,  valued  at  $3  per  square  on 
the  quarry  bank,  and  at  $5  and  $6  in  the  Philadelphia 
market.  Nearly  all  the  best  school-slates  in  this  country 
are  from  the  Pennsylvania  quarries ;  and  many  of  them 
are  manufactured  at  an  establishment  in  this  city.  Of 
Salt,  the  census  of  1850  states  the  produce  of  Pennsyl- 
vania at  184,370  barrels.  Kaolin,  or  Porcelain  earth,  is 
abundant  at  several  points  within  a  radius  of  thirty  miles 
from  Philadelphia.  About  2£  miles  north  of  Camden, 
N.  J.,  there  is  an  extensive  bed  of  Fire  Clay,  of  which 
specimens  have  been  sent  to  England,  and  pronounced 
by  competent  judges  superior  to  the  German  clay,  which 
commands  $25  per  ton.  Besides  these,  Barium,  Chromi- 
um, Cobalt,  Nickel,  Magnesium,  Titanium,  Lead,  Silver, 
Zirconium,  and  Fire  and  Potter's  Clay,  are  scattered  over 
the  State,  and  in  some  instances  of  superior  quality. 

With  all  the  points  in  Pennsylvania  producing  mineral 
and  mining  products,  Philadelphia  is  directly  connected 
by  rail-roads  and  canals,  and  thus  may  be  said  to  be  situ- 
8 


106  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

sited  in  close  proximity  to  the  original  sources  of  many 
of  the  most  important  articles  that  can  be  enumerated  in 
a  list  of  raw  materials  of  Manufactures.  And  if  we  were 
to  pass  from  the  products  of  the  mine  to  those  of  the 
forest  and  of  Agriculture,  we  would  find  them  equally 
abundant,  cheap,  and  accessible.  Lumber,  in  immense 
quantities,  is  obtained  on  the  Susquehanna  and  the  Dela- 
ware, and  floated  down  those  rivers  every  Spring  and 
Fall.  In  1852,  it  was  estimated  that  250,000,000  feet 
were  sent  down  the  former  river ;  while  the  Lehigh  region 
supplied  the  Philadelphia  market,  via  canal,  in  the  same 
year  with  52,123,751  feet.  At  the  present  time,  we  are 
informed  by  persons  intimately  acquainted  with  the  sub- 
ject, Philadelphia  has  a  larger  stock  of  seasoned  lumber 
than  any  other  mart  in  the  Union.*  Wool,  of  the  very 

*  Many  of  the  forest  trees  most  useful  in  the  Arts,  Manufactures,  and 
Medicine,  are  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  We  condense  from  Trego's  Geogra- 
phy of  Pennsylvania  the  following  list,  which  may  be  of  value  to  some  of 
our  readers : 

OAKS.  At  least  twelve  varieties.  The  White  Oak,  the  most  esteemed 
of  this  noble  family  of  trees,  is  found  throughout  the  State  ;  and  in  the 
Southeastern  districts  the  wood  is  exceedingly  compact  and  tough.  The 
Black  Oak,  which  is  very  abundant,  and  one  of  our  largest  trees,  furnishes 
Quercitron  Bark,  which  is  exported  in  large  quantities,  and  used  in  dyeing 
wool,  silk,  &c.,  a  yellow  color.  When  used  by  tanners,  it  imparts  a  yellow 
tinge  to  the  leather.  The  Spanish  Oak,  of  which  the  bark  commands  a 
high  price,  is  less  common  in  Pennsylvania  than  further  South.  The  other 
species,  valuable  for  their  bark,  which  is  highly  esteemed  by  tanners,  is  the 
Rock  Chestnut  Oak,  the  Scarlet  Oak,  and  the  Red  Oak.  In  addition  to  these, 
there  are  the  Iron  Oak,  confined  to  the  Eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  re- 
sembling the  White  Oak ;  the  Swamp  White  Oak,  the  Swamp  Chestnut  Oak, 
Laurel  or  Shingle  Oak,  Scrub  Oak,  and  Pin  Oak. 

WALNUTS.  Two  principal  kinds,  the  Black  and  White  Walnut.  The 
former  is  much  used  for  cabinet-work,  and  for  the  stocks  of  military 
muskets ;  also  for  the  posts  of  fences,  which,  it  is  said,  will  last  from 
twenty  to  twenty- five  years.  The  bark  of  the  White  Walnut,  or  Butternut, 
yields  an  excellent  cathartic  medicine,  said  to  be  efficacious  in  cases  of 
dysentery.  It  is  also  used  in  the  country  for  giving  a  brown  color  to 
wool. 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES   FOR   MANUFACTURING.          107 

best  American  grades,  is  grown  in  the  Western  counties 
of  the  State  ;  and  all,  or  nearly  all,  of  which,  as  the  woolen 
manufacturers  of  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts,  who 

HICKOBY.  The  most  common  species  are  the  White  Heart  Hickory,  Pig 
Nut,  Sitter  Nut,  Shell  Bark,  and  Thick  Shell  Bark—  highly  valued  for  axle- 
trees,  handles,  flails,  &c.,  and  also  as  a  fuel,  affording  in  the  same  bulk 
more  combustible  matter  than  any  other  wood. 

MAPLE.  The  Red  Maple  is  the  most  common,  and  probably  the  most 
valuable  species.  Its  wood  is  much  used  by  chairmakers,  and  for  bedsteads, 
saddle-trees,  &c.  In  many  of  the  old  trees,  the  fibres  of  the  wood,  instead 
of  following  a  perpendicular  direction,  are  undulated  and  waving.  This  is 
known  as  the  Curled  Maple,  and  when  skillfully  polished,  produces  the  most 
beautiful  effect  of  light  and  shade.  The  bark  of  the  Red  Maple  yields  a 
purplish  color  by  boiling,  which,  by  the  addition  of  copperas,  becomes 
dark-blue,  approaching  to  black.  It  is  used  in  the  country  for  dyeing,  and 
for  making  ink.  The  true  Sugar  Maple  is  abundant,  particularly  along  the 
elevated  range  of  the  Alleghanies,  and  the  Black  Sugar  tree  along  the  West- 
ern rivers.  Large  quantities  of  maple  sugar  are  made  in  the  Northern  and 
Western  counties.  The  Striped  Maple  grows  in  the  mountainous  parts  of 
the  State,  and  the  Ath-leaved  Maple,  or  Box  Elder,  west  jf  the  mountains. 

DOGWOOD.  The  most  valuable  species  grows  to  the  height  of  twenty  or 
thirty  feet.  The  wood  is  used  for  tool  handles,  and  other  purposes,  and  the 
inner  bark  has  medicinal  properties  resembling  those  of  the  cinchona  or  Pe- 
ruvian bark,  from  which  quinine  is  made,  and  has  been  successfully  used 
in  intermitting  fevers. 

The  POPLAR  or  TULIP  tree  is  common  in  Pennsylvania,  and  surpasses  most 
of  our  forest  trees  in  height  and  the  beauty  of  its  flowers  and  foliage.  Its 
wood  is  applied  to  many  purposes  where  lightness  and  strength  are  desira- 
ble, as  trunks,  chairs,  &c.,  and  the  bark  is  said  to  possess  tonic  and  anti- 
septic qualities ;  and  a  decoction  of  it,  combined  with  a  few  drops  of  lauda- 
num, has  been  found  efficacious  in  giving  tone  and  vigor  to  the  stomach 
after  fevers  and  inflammatory  diseases.  It  has  been  also  used  in  dyspepsia 
and  cholera  infantum. 

WHITE  and  RED  BIKCH  grow  abundantly  along  the  Delaware  above  Phila- 
delphia, and  Black,  or  Sweet  Birch,  in  deep,  loose,  and  cool  soils.  It  is  said 
that  articles  of  furniture  made  from  this  acquire  with  time  the  appearance 
of  mahogany. 

Of  woods  remarkable  for  their  durability,  we  have  the  Locust,  which  is 
abundant  in  limestone  valleys  ;  and  the  Red  Mulberry,  frequently  met  with 
in  fertile  soils,  when  seasoned,  is  nearly  equal  to  the  Locust;  also,  the 
Red  Cedar,  exceedingly  durable,  and  highly  esteemed  for  making  fence 
posts,  is  common  in  most  parts  of  Pennsylvania. 


108 

come  liither  to  purchase  it,  can  testify,  is  secured  to  tho 
Philadelphia  market.  About  ten  millions  of  pounds  are 
sold  annually.  But  a  still  wider  range  of  raw  materials 
is  open  to  the  manufacturers  of  Philadelphia.  Those 
which  are  the  product  of  other  States  or  foreign  coun- 
tries are,  by  means  of  direct  commerce,  brought  to  her 
wharves,  and  concentre  in  her  warehouses.  The  hides 
of  Buenos  Ayres,  the  woods  of  Guiana,  the  marble  of 
Italy,  the  dye-stuffs  of  Calcutta,  and  the  cotton  of  our 
Southern  States,  are  delivered  to  the  doors  of  our  facto- 
ries, in  many  instances  as  directly  from  the  producers  as 
the  Minerals,  Lumber,  and  Wool  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  CHESTNUT  may  also  be  ranked  among  very  durable  woods.  It  grows 
most  abundantly  in  the  hilly  regions,  and  frequently  attains  an  extraor- 
dinary size;  one  on  Mount  Etna  being  53  feet  in  diameter,  or  160  feet  in 
circumference,  but  hollow  to  the  bark.  The  wood  is  much  used  for  posts 
and  rails ;  and  it  is  largely  consumed  in  the  manufacture  of  charcoal  for 
the  supply  of  the  iron-works  in  the  interior  of  the  State.  Its  fruit  is  par- 
ticularly appreciated  by  the  boys. 

Of  PINKS,  there  is  every  variety,  though  the  true  Yellow  Pine  is  not  very 
common  in  the  State.  The  Pitch  Pine  is  abundant,  and  in  some  places  tar 
is  manufactured  from  the  more  resinous  parts  of  it.  White  Pine,  so  useful, 
and  applied  to  such  a  variety  of  objects,  is  becoming  comparatively  scarce, 
in  consequence  of  the  enormous  consumption  for  shingles,  lumber,  &c. ;  but 
nevertheless,  it  is  still  found  in  considerable  quantities  on  the  upper  streams 
of  the  Lehigh,  the  head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  some  of  the  tribu- 
taries of  the  Allegbany. 

The  Hemlock  Spruce,  however,  which  is  more  common,  growing  on  the 
steep  banks  of  streams,  and  in  dark  and  shaded  situations,  is  being  substi- 
tuted for  White  Pine,  wherever  it  can  well  be  done. 

The  other  forest  trees  which  are  natives  of  Pennsylvania  are  the  White 
and  Red  Ash,  highly  esteemed  for  strength  and  elasticity,  several  species 
of  the  Aspen,  White  and  Red  Beech,  Buttonwood  or  Sycamore,  Catalpa  or 
Bean  tree,  Crab-apple,  Cucumber  tree,  so  called  because  the  cones  or  fruit 
somewhat  resemble  a  small  cucumber,  Chincapin,  White  and  Red  or  Slip- 
pery Elm,  Sweet  and  Sour  Gums,  Hornbeam,  June  Berry  or  May  Cherry, 
Linden,  Lime  tree  or  Basswood,  Magnolia  or  Beaver  tree,  Papaw,  Persim- 
mon. Sassafras,  Black  or  Double  Spruce,  Tamarack  or  American  Larch, 
Willow,  and  Wild  Cherry,  of  which  the  wood  is  used  as  a  substitute  for 
mahogany,  and  the  bark  as  a  valuable  tonic  medicine. 


PHYSICAL    ADVANTAGES   FOR   MANUFACTURING.          109 

But  the  term  raw  material,  though  ordinarily  limited 
to  natural  or  unmanufactured  products,  is  more  compre- 
hensive in  its  scope,  embracing  Chemicals,  substances  used 
as  food,  and  such  substances  of  vegetable  and  animal  origin 
as  are  used  in  Manufactures. 

3.  CHEMICALS.  We  before  remarked  that  the  finished 
product  of  one  class  of  manufacturers  is  often  the  raw 
material  of  another  class.  If  the  proposition  needed  fur- 
ther illustration,  we  might  advert  to  Chemicals,  which  are 
such  important  reagents  in  manufacturing  operations, 
that  without  them  it  would  be  difficult,  (in  fact,  by  any 
known  processes,)  impossible,  to  produce  several  articles 
of  daily  and  essential  utility.  Without  Sulphuric  Acid 
or  Oil  of  Vitriol,  for  instance,  we  could  not  probably 
produce  Alum,  Ammonia,  Sal-ammoniac;  Iodine  and 
Bromine,  upon  the  existence  of  which  the  daguerreotype 
art  is  dependent ;  Bleaching  powder  or  Chlorid  of  Lime ; 
Corrosive  Sublimate  and  Calomel;  Bichromate  of  Potash, 
and  consequently  the  pigments  of  chrome-red,  chrome- 
green,  and  chrome-yellow;  Phosphorus,  and  consequently 
friction  matches ;  or  lastly,  Stearic  acid  candles.  By  means 
of  this  acid,  more  than  100,000  tons  of  Soda-ash  are  ex- 
tracted from  common  salt  in  Great  Britain  yearly.  With- 
out Muriatic  and  Nitric  acids,  the  art  of  refining  gold  and 
silver,  the  jeweler's  art,  the  art  of  electrotyping,  and 
numerous  other  branches  of  industry,  could  not  flourish, 
and  some  of  them  could  not  exist.  The  useful  Arts  and 
Manufactures,  it  is  thus  evident,  are  largely  dependent 
upon  Chemicals ;  and,  consequently,  a  locality  possessing 
those  of  the  best  quality  in  abundance,  has  necessarily  se- 
cured an  important  and  undoubted  advantage.  The  chem- 
ical factories  of  Philadelphia,  every  one  acknowledges, 
rank  among  the  first  in  extent  and  celebrity  through- 
out the  Union.  About  seventeen  millions  of  pounds 
of  Sulphuric  Acid,  are  made  yearly,  and  other  acids  and 
8* 


110  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

alkaline  salts  in  proportion.  The  products  of  the  estab- 
lishments of  POWERS  &  WEIGHTMAN,  ROSENGARTEN  &  SONS, 
LENNIG  &  Co.,  HARRISON  BROTHERS,  BUCK,  SIMONIN  &  Co., 
and  others,  are  recognized  as  of  standard  excellence  in 
the  markets  of  the  world  ;  and  where  such  establishments 
exist,  we  can  hardly  err  in  presuming,  that  at  least,  those 
Manufactures  which  are  dependent  upon  the  Chemical 
Arts  must  certainly  flourish. 

4.  AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS,  PROVISIONS,  &c.  Again, 
no  one  need  be  told  that  with  substances  used  as  food,  the 
markets  of  Philadelphia  are  always  abundantly  supplied, 
at  moderate  prices.  As  a  wheat-growing  State,  the 
census  of  1850  shows  that  Pennsylvania  excels  all  her 
sister  States;  the  product  for  that  year  having  been 
15,367,691  bushels,  which  exceeded  that  of  Ohio,  and  was 
two  millions  of  bushels  more  than  that  of  New  York. 
Of  Rye,  the  product  was  4,805,160  bushels ;  of  Indian 
com,  19,835,214  bushels ;  of  Oats,  21,538,156  bushels  ; 
and  hay,  grass  seeds,  wool,  butter,  maple  sugar,  &c.,  in 
proportionate  quantities.  The  counties  immediately  sur- 
rounding Philadelphia  vie  with  each  other,  and  rival  the 
best  counties  in  any  other  State,  both  in  the  quality  and 
quantity  of  their  productions.  In  1850,  Montgomery 
produced  greater  quantities  of  hay  and  butter  than  any 
other  one  county  in  the  State ;  Lancaster  produced  more 
oats  than  any  other  county  in  the  United  States,  more 
wheat  than  any,  excepting  Monroe  County,  New  York, 
and  more  corn  than  any  other  county  in  Pennsylvania. 
In  Chester,  the  quantity  of  corn  produced  exceeded  that 
of  any  other  county  of  the  State  except  Lancaster,  and 
of  hay,  except  Montgomery ;  while  Delaware  excels  in 
dairy  products,  supplying  the  markets  of  Philadelphia 
with  butter,  cheese,  milk,  and  ice-cream,  and  the  Union 
with  whetstones. 

Fifty  years  ago  it  was  remarked,  and  the  remarks  are  as 


PHYSICAL  ADVANTAGES  FOR  MANUFACTURING.    Ill 

true  now  as  then,  "  Much  of  the  land  within  five  or  six 
rniles  North  and  South  of  the  city  is  devoted  to  the  pur- 
pose of  market-gardens,  and  is  kept  in  the  highest  state 
of  cultivation.  Two  crops  are  very  commonly  produced 
on  the  same  ground  in  one  season.  The  neighboring 
State  of  New  Jersey  contributes  to  the  abundant  supply 
of  those  species  of  fruit  and  vegetables  to  which  its 
light  soils  are  particularly  adapted :  such  as  the  grateful 
musk-melon,  the  water-melon,  sweet-potato,  cucumbers, 
and  peaches,  immense  quantities  of  which  are  brought  in 
boats  across  the  Delaware.  The  superiority  of  the  butter 
of  Philadelphia,  and  the  great  neatness  with  which  it  is 
prepared  for  market,  are  generally  acknowledged.  One 
fourth  of  a  dollar  may  be  said  to  be  the  average  price  of 
a  pound  of  butter,  throughout  the  year."* 

•  The  abundance  and  superior  quality  of  the  Agricultural  products,  for 
•which  the  markets  of  Philadelphia  are  distinguished,  are  probably  the 
fruition,  and  certainly  the  just  reward,  of  the  interest  that  has  always 
been  manifested  by  her  citizens  in  Agricultural  improvement.  As  early  as 
1785,  a  number  of  gentlemen,  among  others  Robert  Morris,  Dr.  Rush,  and 
Richard  Peters,  met  together  and  established  the  first  Agricultural  Society 
on  this  continent,  under  the  title  of  the  "  Philadelphia  Society  for  Promot- 
ing Agriculture,"  which  still  survives,  surrounded  now,  however,  by  almost 
innumerable  sister  associations,  diffusing  information  on  rural  affairs 
throughout  the  entire  Union.  At  a  later  period,  in  September,  182G,  a 
company  of  Philadelphians,  principally  through  the  instrumentality  of  the 
late  Dr.  James  Mease,  founded  the  "Pennsylvania  Horticultural  Society," 
which,  like  its  predecessor,  has  the  proud  distinction  of  having  led  the  way 
iu  its  own  particular  sphere,  and  induced  the  creation  of  many  kindred 
associations,  promoting  refinement  and  kindling  a  taste  for  Horticulture,  even 
at  the  verge  of  Western  settlements.  One  of  the  means  early  adopted  by 
both  associations  to  stimulate  improvement  was  holding  Annual  Exhibi- 
tions, at  which  live  stock,  implements,  fruits,  vegetables,  and  flowers,  were 
brought  into  competition.  The  exhibitions  of  the  Agricultural  Society 
attracted,  years  before  they  were  held  elsewhere,  throngs  of  intelligent 
observers  and  practical  cultivators  from  neighboring  States,  as  well  as 
from  Pennsylvania,  and  diffused  a  most  salutary  and  beneficial  influence. 
The  development  which  it  is  possible  for  such  societies  to  attain,  was 
witnessed  in  October,  1856,  when  the  exhibition  of  the  "United  States 


112  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Of  Fish,  the  markets  of  Philadelphia  are  constantly 
supplied,  from  the  river,  the  bay,  and  the  sea,  with  almost 
every  desirable  variety.  We  can  imagine  the  delight  with 
which  epicures,  a  half  century  ago,  read,  that  "  early  in  the 
spring  large  sun-fish  are  caught  in  the  Bay,  and  are  suc- 
ceeded by  herrings,  shad,  roach,  four  kinds  of  cat-fish, 
four  kinds  of  perch,  rock,  lamprey  eel,  common  eel, 
pike,  sucker,  sturgeon,  gar-fish.  These  are  river  fish, 
and  appear  in  the  order  mentioned.  From  the  sea,  come 

Agricultural  Society,"  held  in  Philadelphia,  by  invitation  of  the  Philadel- 
phia Society  and  the  officers  of  the  City  Government,  attracted  the  most 
imposing  display  probably  ever  witnessed  in  the  United  States,  on  any 
similar  occasion.  Upward  of  forty  thousand  dollars  were  received,  and  the 
entire  sum  expended  in  premiums  and  for  the  necessary  preparations. 
Competitors  from  distant  States  carried  off  many  well-earned  and  important 
premiums;  but  it  would  be  only  justice  rewarding  merit,  to  record  the 
fact,  that  to  a  Philadelphia  firm,  that  of  DAVID  LANDRETH  &  SON,  was 
awarded  the  first  and  most  important  premium,  viz.,  that  for  the  best  display 
of  Agricultural  Implements  manufactured  by  the  exhibiler. 

In  the  importation  of  Live  Stock,  Philadelphians  were  among  the  first  to 
embark,  and  they  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  introducing  to  agricultural- 
ists some  of  the  most  valuable  foreign  breeds  that  are  known.  The  first 
"short-horned"  cow  that  probably  ever  crossed  the  Atlantic,  was  landed 
at  the  wharf  in  Philadelphia,  in  1807.  This  importation  was  in  advance 
of  the  appreciation  of  such  stock,  and  the  cow  was  returned  to  England ; 
but  a  bull-calf,  dropped  by  her  whilst  here,  was  fortunately  retained,  and 
impressed  his  stamp  on  the  cattle  of  the  country. 

About  the  year  1828,  Mr.  JOHN  HARE  POWELL,  imported  South  Down 
Sheep ;  and  the  sume  enterprising  gentleman,  some  years  subsequently, 
commenced  his  importations  of  Short  Horns,  (Durhams).  Not  long  after- 
ward, Mr.  Whittnker,  the  noted  English  breeder,  consigned  similar  animals 
to  his  care  for  sale.  Other  gentlemen  in  this  vicinity  followed  the  example 
of  Mr.  Powell ;  and  shortly  afterward  further  importations  were  made  for 
Kentucky,  and  other  Western  States.  Mr.  Sarchet,  of  Philadelphia,  has 
the  credit  of  the  first  importation  of  "  Alderneys" ;  afterward,  in  1840, 
the  Inte  Mr.  Nicholas  Biddle,  imported  specimens  of  the  "  Jersey"  or 
•'  Alderney"  cattle.  Their  descendants  are  now  spread  into  the  adjoining 
counties,  and  have  produced  a  sensible  improvement  in  the  quality  of  the 
cream  and  butter  wherever  the  strain  has  been  infused.  It  seems  to  us 
proper,  that  early  enterprise  in  this  direction  should  be  recorded. 


PHYSICAL  ADVANTAGES   FOR   MANUFACTURING.          113 

cod,  sea-bass,  black-fish,  sbeep's-head,  Spanish  mackerel, 
haddock,  pollock,  mullet,  halibut,  flounder,  sole,  plaice, 
skait,  porgey,  torn-cod,  and  others.  Of  Shell-fish,  there  are 
oysters,  (several  kinds,)  clams,  lobster,  crab,  snapping-tur- 
tle,  and  terrapin — all  excellent.  Oysters  abound  through- 
out the  year,  and  are  sold  at  a  low  price.  The  shad 
caught  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  are  generally  es- 
teemed superior  in  flavor,  and  more  delicate  than  those 
caught  elsewhere.  It  is  supposed  that  the  situation  of  the 
fishing-places  influences  the  size  and  the  flavor  of  shad." 
But  the  abundance,  cheapness,  and  excellence  of  pro- 
visions in  Philadelphia  are  conceded.  The  New  York 
Tribune  of  May  1,  1857,  stated  that  "  Philadelphia  has 
about  twenty-five  per  cent,  the  advantage  of  us  in  fuel,  and 
perhaps  ten  per  cent,  in  the  average  cost  of  provisions." 

HI.  SITUATION,  RAIL-ROAD  CONNECTIONS,  &c.  The  third 
point  that  we  have  considered  essential  to  success  in 
Manufactures,  is  a  favorable  situation.  Viewing  Phila- 
delphia with  respect  to  situation,  we  remark,  in  the  first 
place,  that  it  is  far  enough  from  the  ocean  to  be  exempt 
from  a  salt  atmosphere,  which  has  been  found  decidedly 
injurious  in  several  Manufacturing  and  Chemical  proc- 
esses ;*  yet  it  is  near  enough  to  the  great  highway  of  na- 
tions to  partake  of  the  advantages  of  a  port  on  the  sea- 
coast,  in  receiving  raw  materials  and  sending  away  man- 
ufactured products.  Secondly,  Philadelphia  now  pos- 
sesses unrivaled  means  of  communication  with  the  inte- 
rior of  our  country,  and  directly  or  indirectly  with  all 
foreign  countries.  Shippers  of  freight,  destined  for 
other  seaports,  have  a  choice  of  routes  to  the  ocean,  viz., 
the  Delaware  River — the  ordinary  and  natural  channel — 
and  the  Camden  and  Amboy  Rail-road,  the  Philadelphia 
and  Trenton  Rail-road,  and  the  Delaware  and  Raritan 

*  In  paints,  a  pare  Carbonate  of  Lead  cannot  well  be  made  near  to  the  sea. 


114  PHILADELPHIA  AND   ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

Canal.  By  way  of  the  river  and  the  ocean,  merchandise 
may  be  forwarded  and  received  cheaply  and  expedi- 
tiously  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  regular  lines  being 
established  to  all  principal  cities  of  the  United  States — 
Boston,  New  York,  Baltimore,  Richmond,  Savannah, 
New  Orleans,  California,  and  to  Liverpool,  &c.  During 
the  last  year,  (1857,)  as  we  have  stated  elsewhere,  there 
were  505  foreign,  and  32,142  coastwise  arrivals,  princi- 
pally at  the  Delaware  wharves.  Since  1845,  the  vessels 
annually  employed  in  the  coal  trade  alone,  from  Port 
Richmond,  largely  exceed  in  number  and  capacity  the 
whole  foreign  tonnage  of  the  city  of  New  York.  But, 
though  the  Delaware  River  be  the  natural  channel  for 
freight  destined  to  distant  sections,  it  is  by  no  means  the 
only  one.  Immense  quantities  of  goods  are  daily  sent 
and  received  by  the  Propeller  lines,  via  the  Delaware  and 
Raritan  Canal ;  and  the  Camden  and  Amboy,  and  Phil- 
adelphia and  Trenton  Rail-roads,  which  are  far-famed 
thoroughfares.  A  shorter  and  more  direct  route  to  the 
ocean  than  any  of  these,  may  now  be  finished  for  a  tri- 
fling expenditure,  viz.,  by  the  extension  of  the  Camden 
and  Atlantic  Railway ;  and  when  the  contemplated  proj- 
ect of  building  a  magnificent  roadway  from  Florence 
to  Union,  N.  J.,  is  carried  into  execution,  another  ave- 
nue for  the  conveyance  of  light  freight,  cheaply  and  ex- 
peditiously,  between  Philadelphia  and  the  ocean,  will  be 
opened. 

But  the  highways  in  which  Philadelphia  has  invested 
the  greatest  amount  of  capital,  and  which  probably  will 
in  future  be  of  the  most  advantage  to  her  industrial  in- 
terests, are  those  which  communicate  with  the  interior. 
To  the  North,  and  connecting  her  with  the  coal  regions, 
there  are  several  canals  and  two  principal  rail-roads — 
the  Reading,  and  the  North  Pennsylvania.  The  latter  is 
a  new  and  promising  road,  communicating  with  the 


PHYSICAL    ADVANTAGES    FOR    MANUFACTURING.          115 

populous  towns  of  Lehigh  and  Northampton  counties, 
and  in  connection  with  the  Lehigh  Valley  Rail-road, 
affording  another  outlet  for  the  Coal  and  Iron  products 
of  the  Lehigh  regions.  The  former  was  constructed 
primarily  as  an  avenue  for  the  transportation  of  coal 
from  Schuylkill  County ;  but  by  means  of  connections 
established  with  other  roads,  it  now  forms  part  of  a  great 
through  route  to  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  the  Lakes,  the 
Canadas,  and  the  "West. 

The  READING  RAIL-ROAD,  being  unquestionably  one  of 
the  most  magnificent  freight  roads  in  the  world,  is  en- 
titled to  further  notice.  It  was  the  first  rail-road  that 
revolutionized  popular  opinion  with  respect  to  the  adap- 
tation of  railways  for  carrying  heavy  burdens.  Having 
a  slightly  descending  grade  in  the  direction  of  the  loaded 
trains,  the  entire  distance  from  Schuylkill  Haven  to  the 
Falls  of  Schuylkill,  84  miles,  it  is  able  to  transport 
heavy  freight  at  a  cost  which  is  insignificant,  even  in 
comparison  with  the  usual  tolls  on  canals.  The  cost  of 
transporting  a  ton  of  coal,  per  round  trip  of  190  miles — 
that  is,  from  the  coal  region  to  tide-water  and  back  with 
empty  cars,  was,  during  the  last  year,  only  36.3  cents ; 
whereas,  the  tolls  on  a  ton  of  merchandise  on  the  Erie 
Canal  were  nearly  double  that  amount.  The  average 
load  of  an  engine,  during  the  busy  season,  is  nearly  500 
tons  of  coal ;  and  a  single  engine  has  conveyed  a  train 
of  166  cars,  weighing  797  tons  of  2240  Ibs.  each. 

The  original  charter,  passed  in  1833,  contemplated 
Reading  as  the  northern  terminus  of  the  road — hence  its 
name ;  but  subsequently  the  charter  was  extended,  and 
the  road  constructed  to  Pottsville.  The  first  locomotive 
and  train  passed  over  the  entire  line  on  the  first  day  of 
January,  1842.  The  event  was  celebrated  with  military 
display,  and  "an  immense  procession  of  seventy-five 
passenger  cars,  2,225  feet  in  length,  containing  2,150 


116  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

persons,  three  bands  of  music,  banners,  &c.,  all  drawn  by 
a  single  engine.  In  the  rear  was  a  train  of  fifty-two  bur- 
den cars,  loaded  with  180  tons  of  coal,  part  of  which  was 
mined  the  same  morning,  412  feet  below  water  level." 
The  road  now  consists  of  a  double  track  ;  rail  of  the  H 
pattern  ;  whole  length  258  miles,  of  which  127f  miles 
have  been  relaid  during  the  last  seven  years,  at  a  cost 
of  $796,735  43.  The  rolling  stock  includes  142  locomo- 
tives, 58  passenger  cars,  924  merchandise  cars,  and  4,831 
iron  and  wooden  coal  cars,  besides  over  600  used  by 
the  company,  but  owned  by  other  parties ;  and  the  whole, 
if  placed  in  a  line,  would  extend  for  a  distance  of  fifteen 
miles.  The  equipments  are  ample  for  the  transportation 
of  2,500,000  tons  per  annum;  the  tonnage,  in  1855, 
being  2,213,292.  The  road  has  nearly  ninety  stone  and 
iron  bridges,  and  over  forty  wooden  bridges ;  four  tun- 
nels, the  largest  of  which  at  Phoenixville  is  1,934  feet  cut 
through  solid  rock;  numerous  depots,  wharves,  and 
workshops,  (those  at  Reading  furnishing  employment  to 
about  400  hands,  including  boys,)  and  a  vast  deal  of  val- 
uable real  estate.*  The  entire  cost  of  the  whole,  on 

*"At  Richmond,  the  lower  terminus  of  the  road,  at  tide-water  on  the 
river  Delaware,  are  constructed  the  most  extensive  and  commodious  wharves, 
in  all  probability,  in  the  world,  for  the  reception  and  shipping,  not  only 
of  the  present,  but  of  the  future  vast  coal  tonnage  of  the  railway;  forty- 
nine  acres  are  occupied  with  the  company's  wharves  and  works,  extending 
along  twenty-two  hundred  and  seventy-two  feet  of  river  front,  and  acces- 
sible to  vessels  of  six  or  seven  hundred  tons.  The  shipping  arrangements 
consist  of  some  twenty  wharves  or  piers,  extending  from  three  hundred  and 
forty-two  to  eleven  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet  into  the  river,  all  built  in 
the  most  substantial  manner,  and  furnished  with  chutes  at  convenient  dis- 
tances, by  which  the  coal  flows  into  the  vessel  lying  alongside,  DIRECTLY 

FROM     THE     OPENED     BOTTOM     OF     THE     COAL     CAR     IN    WHICH     IT     LEFT     THK 

MINE.  As  some  coal  is  piled  or  stacked  in  winter,  or  at  times  when  its 
shipment  is  not  required,  the  elevation  of  the  tracks,  by  trestlings, 
above  the  solid  surface  or  flooring  of  the  piers,  affords  sufficient  room 
for  stowing  upward  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  tons  of  coal. 
Capacious  docks  extend  in-shore,  between  each  pair  of  wharves,  thus 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES    FOR    MANUFACTURING.          117 

November 30, 1857,  was  $19,262,720  27.  The  officers  are: 
President,  R.  D.  CULLEN  ;  Treasurer,  SAMUEL  BRADFORD  ; 
Sec'y,  W.  H.  MC!LHENNEY,  and  Gen'l  Supt.,  G.  A.  NICOLLS. 

With  Pittsburg,  and  the  "Gate  of  the  West,"  Phila- 
delphia is  connected  by  a  magnificent  Railway,  to 
which  we  have  more  than  once  referred,  and  to  which  it 
seems  proper  to  refer  again,  if  for  no  other  purpose  than 
to  aid  in  perpetuating  the  names  of  those  who  have  been 
most  active  in  contributing  to  the  success  of  so  great  an 
undertaking.  While  the  Reading  cheapens  fuel  to  the 
citizens  of  Philadelphia,  the  Pennsylvania  Central  cheap- 
ens food,  and  both  are  entitled  to  rank  among  the  most 
important  enterprises  of  modern  times. 

The  act  incorporating  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Rail- 
road Company  was  passed  April  13th,  1846.  As  soon 
as  the  news  of  its  passage  had  reached  Philadelphia,  a 
large  meeting  was  held,  and  a  committee  appointed  to 
prepare  an  address  inviting  the  co-operation  of  the  citi- 
zens. This  committee  consisted  of  THOMAS  P.  COPE, 
(since  dec'd,)  Chairman ;  DAVID  S.  BROWN,  JOHN  GRIGG, 
THOMAS  SPARKS,  GEORGE  N".  BAKER,  RICHARD  D.  WOOD, 
JAMES  MAGEE,  and  J.  R.  TYSON.  The  address  issued  by 
these  gentlemen  met  with  a  warm  response,  and  public 
and  private  subscriptions  were  freely  tendered.  The  city, 

making  the  whole  river  front  available  for  shipping  purposes.  Over  one 
hundred  vessels  can  be  loading  at  the  same  moment;  and  few  places  pre- 
sent busier  or  more  interesting  scenes,  than  the  wharves  of  the  Reading 
Rail-road,  at  Richmond.  A  brig  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  tons  has  been 
loaded  with  that  number  of  tons  of  coal  in  less  than  three  hours  time,  at 
tliese  wharves.  The  whole  length  of  the  lateral  railways  extending  over  the 
wharves  at  Richmond  will  probably  exceed  ten  miles,  affording  a  ship- 
ping capacity  for  upward  of  three  millions  of  tons  !  and  it  will  probably  not 
be  many  years  before  this  amount,  extraordinary  as  it  may  seem,  (as,  in- 
deed, it  really  is,)  will  be  annually  transported  over  this  great  thorough- 
fare. The  company  has  laid  the  foundation  for  a  trade  as  broad  as  the 
future  destiny  of  the  coal  trade  itself." 


118  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

in  its  corporate  capacity,  subscribed  two  and  a  half  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  and  this  gave  an  impulse  to  the  enter- 
prise that  left  no  longer  any  doubt  of  its  success.  The 
first  Board  of  Directors  consisted  of  the  following  gentle- 
men, most  of  whom  had  been  active  in  promoting  this 
great  work,  viz. :  S.  V.Merrick,  Thomas  P.  Cope,  Robert 
Toland,  David  S.  Brown,  James  Magee,  Richard  D.  Wood, 
Stephen  Colwell,  George  W.  Carpenter,  Christian  E. 
Spangler,  Thomas  T.  Lea,  William  C.  Patterson,  John 
A.  Wright,  and  Henry  C.  Corbit.  First  officers — S.  V. 
Merrick,  President ;  Oliver  Fuller,  Secretary ;  George  V. 
Bacon,  Treasurer;  J.  Edgar  Thomson,  Chief  Engineer; 
William  B.  Foster,  Jr.,  Associate  Engineer,  of  the  East- 
ern Division  ;  Edward  Miller,  of  the  Western. 

During  the  past  year  this  Company  made  a  most  im- 
portant and  extensive  negotiation,  being  no  less  than 
the  purchase  from  the  Commonwealth  of  285  miles 
of  Canal,  between  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburg;  and 
37  miles  of  Railway,  between  Johnstown  and  Ilolli- 
daysburg ;  and  80  miles  of  double  track  between  Phil- 
adelphia and  the  Susquehanna  River,  with  all  the  ap- 
purtenances, giving  their  bonds,  bearing  five  per  cent, 
interest,  for  the  sum  of  $7,500,000,  payable  $100,000 
on  July  31st,  1858,  and  $100,000  annually  thereafter, 
until  July  31,  1890,  when  the  payments  will  be  at  the 
rate  of  $1,000,000  per  annum  until  the  whole  is  paid. 
Present  total  cost  of  roads  and  canals  belonging  to  Com- 
pany, $27,266,981  58.  The  rolling  stock  consists  of 
216  locomotives,  99  passenger  cars,  27  baggage  cars,  and 
1,945  freight  cars.  The  aggregate  tonnage  of  the  road, 
for  1857,  was  530,420.  The  surplus  earnings  were 
31,854,926  86.  The  present  officers  of  the  road  are- 
President,  J.  EDGAR  THOMSON;  Vice-President,  W.  B. 
FOSTER,  JR.  ;  Treasurer,  THOMAS  T.  FIRTH  ;  Secretary, 
EDMUND  SMITH  ;  Gen'l  Superintendent,  THOS.  A.  SCOTT; 
Controler  and  Auditor,  H.  J.  LOMBAERT  ;  Superintendent 


PHYSICAL   ADVANTAGES   FOR   MANUFACTURING.  119 

Philadelphia  Division,  G.  C.  FRANCISCUS  ;  Superintendent 
Eastern  Division,  A.  L.  ROUMFORT  ;  Superintendent  Mid- 
dle Division,  THOMAS.?.  SARGENT  ;  Superintendent  Western 
Division,  JOSEPH  D.  POTTS;  General  Freight  Agent,  H.  H. 
HOUSTON. 

The  last  link  in  the  chain  is  now  perfected,  connecting 
Philadelphia  and  Chicago,  via  Pittsburg,  Fort  Wayne  and 
Chicago  Rail-road  ;  other  connections  are  constantly  being 
made  ;  and  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Railway,  fortunate 
in  its  mode  of  construction,  and  fortunate  in  its  officers, 
will  hereafter  still  further  reduce  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion between  Philadelphia  and  the  West,  and  perpetually 
prove  an  increasing  source  of  benefit  to  both. 

The  other  great  trunk  line  diverging  from  Philadel- 
phia, and  increasing  its  rail-road  connections  with  the 
South,  is  the  PHILADELPHIA,  WILMINGTON,  AND  BALTIMORE 
RAIL-ROAD.  This  road  forms  part  of  the  great  Southern 
mail  route — and  being  one  of  the  oldest,  is  consequently 
one  of  the  best  known  rail-roads  in  the  country.  The 
low  charges  for  water  carriage  between  Philadelphia  and 
the  prominent  points  of  the  South,  have  heretofore  de- 
prived this  road  of  any  considerable  revenue  from 
freight ;  but,  nevertheless,  the  Company  is  now  free  from 
floating  debt,  has  paid  all  the  demands  that  were  made 
upon  it,  and  its  regular  dividend,  without  borrowing  a 
dollar.  This  Company  is  peculiarly  fortunate  in  its  Pres- 
ident, 8.  M.  FELTON,  Esq.,  who  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
ablest  rail-road  officers  in  the  country. 

A  new  road  to  Baltimore,  entitled  the  Baltimore  Cen- 
tral, connecting  with  the  Westchester  Rail-road,  at 
Grubb's  Bridge,  is  in  course  of  construction,  and  thirty 
miles  will  probably  soon  be  finished.  This  road,  it  is  said, 
can  bridge  the  Susquehanna.  The  minor  rail-roads  di- 
verging from  Philadelphia,  are  the  Philadelphia,  German- 
town,  and  Norristown,  which,  in  1857,  carried  1,378,228 
passengers  ;  and  having  as  tributaries  the  Chester  Valley 


120 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 


and  Chestnut  Hill  Rail-roads ;  and  the  Westchester  Rail- 
road, of  which  seventeen  miles  are  completed,  and  the 
balance  (ten  miles)  graded  and  ballasted. 
The  following  Table  exhibits  the 

Names,  Length,  and  Cost  of  the  Bail-roads  centering  in  Philadelphia 
with  their  Heceipts,  Expenses,  and  Surplus  Earnings,  for  1857. 


Names. 

t 

a 

3 

Cast 

Gross  Receipts. 

Expenses. 

Surplus 
Earnings. 

Pennsylvania  * 

393 

9S 
98 
91 
28 
68 
21 
17 
61 

<  19,766,981.58  ) 
I    7,500,000.00  < 
19,262,720.27 
8,568.369.32 
5,563,580.11 
1,000,000.00 
6,106,280.57 
1.810,812.28 
1,300,000.00 

$4,855,669.76 

3,065,521.56 
1,143,852.69 
1,598,124.91 
operated  in 
248,783.80 
312,958.63 
50,986.00 

$3,000,742.90 

1,481,745.22 
764,917.10 
880,131.17 
part  by  C.  & 
112,186.65 
132,852.25 
39,000.00 

$1,854,926-86 

1,583,776.34 
378,935.59 
717,993.74 
A.  Co. 
136,597.15 
170,268,75 
unfinished. 

Reading  

PUilad,  Wil'g'n  and  Bait.... 
Camden  aud  Amboy  f 

Philadelphia  and  Trenton... 
North  Pennsylvania  

Philad.  Germt'n  &  Norris'n. 
Westchester  and  Philad  
Camden  and  Atlantic  

*  This  inclndes  the  Indiana  Branch,  19  miles ;  Hollidaysburg  Branch,  9  miles ;  and  Johns- 
town Branch,  37  miles — but  excludes  the  Harrisburg,  Lancaster  and  Mountjoy  Bail-road, 
(35  miles)  which  is  leased,  not  owned  by  the  Pennsylvania  Kail-road. 

t  This  includes  Trenton  and  other  Branches. 

The  rail-road  system  of  Philadelphia,  we  may  remark, 
in  conclusion,  adopting  the  language  of  one  who  has 
made  it  the  subject  of  careful  consideration,  extends  to 
all  points  of  the  compass,  pushes  out  toward  the  ocean, 
pierces  the  coal  regions  of  the  North,  reaches  Eastward 
to  the  great  seaports  of  the  nation,  drains  the  rich  and 
fertile  agricultural  counties  of  our  own  State,  and  ex- 
tends Westward  toward  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the 
gold  region  beyond.  It  is  a  grand  plan,  and  needs  but 
one  important  line  to  make  it  perfect.  The  Sunbury  and 
Erie  road  must  be  completed  to  Lake  Erie,  to  develope 
the  resources  of  that  portion  of  the  State  through 
which  it  passes,  while  our  legitimate  portion  of  the  trade 
of  the  Northwest  runs  along  it  into  the  lap  of  Phila- 
delphia, which  will  be  nearer  to  the  great  inland  seas 
than  either  of  her  rivals — Baltimore  or  New  York. 

IV.  The  fourth  and  last  subdivision  of  essential  phys- 
ical advantages  is  a  suitable  climate — a  climate  favorable 
to  vigor  of  mind  and  health  of  body,  and  chemically 


PHYSICAL    ADVANTAGES    FOR    MANUFACTURING.          121 

adapted  for  manufacturing  processes.  The  climate  of 
Philadelphia,  in  common  with  other  portions  of  the 
State,  we  may  say  the  countrj7,  has  undergone  important 
changes  within  a  half  century.  The  winters  are  less 
uniformly  cold  than  formerly,  and  the  summers  less  uni- 
formly warm.  Except  during  the  winters  of  1855-6, 
and  1856-7,  which  were  entirely  exceptional,  ice  in  the 
Delaware  has  not  presented  any  formidable  obstruction 
to  navigation  for  many  years,  and  sleighing  has  been  a 
sport  of  short  duration.  In  the  present  winter  (1857-8), 
no  snow,  worth  mentioning,  has  fallen  up  to  the  middle 
of  February ;  and  the  weather  during  January  was  as 
genial  as  spring.  In  the  summer,  the  thermometer  some- 
times rises  for  a  few  consecutive  days  above  93° ;  but 
the  temperature  invariably  diminishes  sensibly  after 
sunset,  and  the  nights  are  generally  comfortable  and  re- 
freshing. The  most  disagreeable  feature  of  the  climate 
in  summer  is  liability  to  sudden  variations,  amounting  in 
some  rare  instances  to  30°  in  twenty-four  hours.  These 
variations,  however,  it  would  seem,  are  more  unpleasant 
than  permanently  injurious  in  their  effects. 

The  air  of  Philadelphia,  compared  with  that  of  New 
York,  has  less  keenness ;  and  being  free  from  saline  im- 
pregnation, it  is  less  irritating  to  weak  lungs.  It  was  ob- 
served long  since,  and  remarked  by  physicians,  that  per- 
sons did  spit  blood  in  New  York  who  were  entirely  free 
from  any  pulmonic  affection  in  Philadelphia.  Compared 
with  New  England,  generally,  the  winters  in  Philadelphia 
are  less  severe,  and  consequently  less  fuel  is  consumed ; 
while  the  days  are  of  greater  average  length,  thereby  dimin- 
ishing the  consumption  of  gas.  Both  of  these  items  have 
a  bearing  upon  economy  of  production  in  Manufactures. 
But  the  climate  of  Philadelphia  has  further  some  pecu- 
liar and  remarkable  properties,  as  is  evidenced  by  its 
effects  upon  certain  chemical  processes.  It  is  conceded, 
9* 


122  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

even  by  Englishmen,  that  the  woven  fabrics  of  southern 
Europe  are  superior  to  those  of  England  in  the  richness 
and  clearness  of  their  colors ;  and  this  superiority  is  ac- 
counted for  by  ascribing  it  to  atmospheric  qualities  and 
peculiarities,  for  which  neither  the  science  of  chemists 
nor  the  skill  of  dyers  in  England,  has  been  able  to  pro- 
vide a  complete  equivalent.  So,  experience  demon- 
strates, that  it  is  possible  in  Philadelphia  to  attain  a 
degree  of  excellence  in  dyeing  fabrics,  unattainable  by 
the  same  processes  anywhere  else  except  in  Southern 
Europe.  A  celebrated  French  dyer,  whose  local  partial- 
ities are  distant  from  this  city,  experimented  in  various 
localities  in  France  and  the  United  States,  and  found  the 
climate  and  water  nowhere  in  either  country  so  well 
adapted  for  his  purposes  as  those  of  Philadelphia.  Hence, 
every  year  the  practice  is  becoming  more  common  with 
the  merchants  of  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and  else- 
where, to  import  silks,  and  woolen  goods  in  an  unfin- 
ished state,  have  them  dyed  in  Philadelphia,  and  then 
they  readily  command  prices  equal  to  the  best  French 
or  European  finished  fabrics. 

In  addition  to  these  circumstances,  which  are  con- 
sidered essential  to  success  in  Manufactures,  there  are 
many  others  so  desirable  and  important,  that  they  can 
scarcely  be  ranked  as  secondary.  Foremost  in  this 
class  is — 

1.  PUKITY  OF  WATER.  Water,  like  climate,  has  a  san- 
itary, and  also  a  chemical  bearing.  The  water  princi- 
pally used  in  Philadelphia  proper  is  from  the  Schuylkill ; 
while  in  Frankford,  Bridesburg,  and  other  important 
manufacturing  adjuncts,  there  are  springs  possessing 
some  remarkable  properties.  The  Schuylkill  water,  as 
we  learn  from  the  report  of  Messrs.  Booth  and  Garrett, 
who,  in  1854,  made  it  the  subject  of  careful  analysis,  is 


WATER — HEALTH.  123 

distinguished  above  almost  all  other  waters  for  its  purity 
and  freedom  from  organic  matter.  Their  very  able  re- 
port concludes  with  the  following  opinion  : — 

"  We  may  further  observe,  that  a  comparison  of  our 
waters,  with  waters  used  elsewhere  in  the  United  States 
and  in  Europe,  highly  esteemed  for  their  excellency,  may 
be  characterized  by  its  greater  purity,  its  slightly  alkaline 
impregnation,  and  by  being  nearly  free  from  organic 
matter.  In  conclusion,  we  infer  that  the  Schuylkill  water 
has  deteriorated,  in  no  important  respects,  from  its  former 
excellent  quality  ;  is  superior  to  most  waters  for  domestic 
and  manufacturing  purposes;  and  lastly,  a  comparison 
of  the  past  and  present,  leads  to  the  inference,  that  no 
plan  of  improving  the  water  will  be  required  for  many 
years  to  come." 

By  analysis,  it  has  been  ascertained  that  the  water  of 
the  Cochituate,  (used  in  Boston,)  contains  1,16  grs.  of 
solid  organic  substances  in  one  gallon  ;  and  the  Croton, 
(used  in  New  York,)  contains  4.28  grs.,  and  that,  too, 
after  it  had  passed  through  forty-one  miles  of  aqueduct ; 
while  the  Schuylkill  water,  taken  directly  from  the  river, 
before  it  had  entered  into  the  reservoir,  and  had  time  to 
deposit  its  solid  particles,  contained  but  a  trace  of  organic 
matter.  The  chairman  of  the  Philadelphia  County  Medical 
Society  concludes,  that  we  possess  the  advantage  of  a 
purer  quality  of  water  for  drinking  purposes  than  any 
other  city  in  the  United  States,  or  perhaps  the  world  over, 
a  prerequisite  as  essential  to  the  enjoyment  of  health,  as 
it  is  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  life  itself. 

The  sanitary  results  of  the  climate  and  the  water  aro 
manifested  in — 

2.  THE  STATISTICS  OF  HEALTH.  The  comparative 
healthfulness  of  various  cities  has  been  made  a  subject 
of  careful  observation  by  physicians  and  others,  for  more 


124 


PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


than  a  half  century,  and  the  tables  of  mortality  have 
uniformly  shown  that  Philadelphia  is  the  most  healthy  of 
the  great  cities  of  the  United  States.  In  1806,  when  the 
city  contained  a  larger  population  than  JSTew  York,  the 
deaths  per  day  in  the  former  were  5f ,  and  in  the  latter 
6£.  In  1810,  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  population,  in 
Philadelphia,  was  one  to  fifty.  In  1855,  WILSON  JEWELL, 
M.  D.,  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Epidemics  of 
the  State  Medical  Society,  presented  a  report  full  of  val- 
uable suggestions,  and  containing  the  following  Table  and 
remarks  relative  to  the  sanitary  condition  of  our  principal 
cities : — 


Per  ct.  of 

Deaths 

1858 

Popula- 
tion. 

Total 
mortality. 

Ratio  of 
deaths  to 
population. 

every  1000 

inhabit- 

deaths  un- 
der 5  years 
to  total 

under  5 
years  to 
every 

Ratio  of 
still-born  to 
deaths. 

mortality. 

1000. 

New  York  

650000 

22,728 

1  in  28.59 

So. 

53.40 

18.67 

1  in  13.70 

Philadelphia  

500,000 

10,4o8 

1  in  47.81 

20.91 

44.86 

9.38 

1  in  17.  85 

Baltimore  

215,000 

5,465 

1  in  39.52 

25.41 

44.88 

11.40 

1  in  14.01 

Boston  

162,748 

4,308 

1  in  39.36 

26.59 

46.63 

12.40 

1  in  19.33 

"  The  averages,  deductions,  and  comparisons  drawn  in  this  Table, 
prove  conclusively  that  the  mortality  in  our  own  city  is  much  less,  com- 
pared with  the  total  of  deaths,  with  the  deaths  to  population,  or  with 
every  thousand,  than  in  the  other  Atlantic  cities. 

"  While  in  New  York  1  in  every  28  of  the  population  dies  annually, 
and  in  Baltimore  and  Boston  1  in  every  39,  in  Philadelphia  there  is 
only  1  in  every  47 ;  more  favorable  by  one  half  than  the  death  rate  of 
New  York  ;  and,  by  nearly  one  fourth,  more  favorable  than  that  of  Bos- 
ton and  Baltimore. 

"  Again,  the  health  of  Philadelphia,  contrasted  with  that  of  the  other 
cities  named  in  the  Table,  is  shown  by  estimating  the  deaths  to  every 
thousand  of  the  population.  While  New  York  contributes  35,  Boston 
26,  and  Baltimore  25,  Philadelphia  gives  only  20. 

"  Nor  can  it  be  overlooked,  that  the  infantile  population  in  New  York 
suffers  by  death  to  a  far  greater  extent  than  in  either  of  the  other 
cities.  Those  under  five  years  of  age  (exclusive  of  still-born)  make  up 
53  per  cent,  of  the  total  mortality  ;  Boston  46  per  cent. ;  while  Balti- 
more and  Philadelphia  are  each  44  per  cent. :  less  by  8  per  cent,  than 
the  former,  and  5  per  cent,  than  those  under  five  years  in  the  latter 
city. 

"  The  deaths  under  five  years  in   every  thousand  of  the  population 


HEALTH — PROTECTION   AGAINST   FIRE.  125 

presents  an  equally  favorable  contrast ;  New  York  furnishing  18,  Bos 
ton  12,  Baltimore  11,  and  Philadelphia  only  9  in  every  thousand. 

"  It  will  be  seen,  too,  while  the  population  in  New  York  was  but  13 
per  cent,  greater  than  that  of  Philadelphia,  the  deaths  for  the  year  1855 
were  35.90  per  cent,  more  than  in  our  own  city.  The  ratio  of  still-born 
children  to  the  mortality  is  Jess  in  Philadelphia  than  in  either  of  the 
other  places. 

"  The  preceding  estimates  are  sufficiently  clear  to  maintain  the  posi- 
tion, that  we  are  the  healthiest  of  the  large  Atlantic  cities,  and  that  for 
salubrity,  we  should  have  the  preference  before  the  others  named  in  the 
Table. 

The  aggregate  mortality  in  the  four  cities,  in  1856  and 

1857,  was  as  follows : — 

7  jijj .  -*<i 

1856.  1857. 

Philadelphia,  12,090  -  10,950  -  Decrease,  1,140 

New  York,  21,496  -  23,370  -  Increase,  1,874 

Baltimore,  5,677  -  5,524  -  Decrease,     153 

Boston,  4,170  . «.  4,005  -  Decrease,     165 

Total,  43,433  43,849  Increase,     416 

The  proportion  of  deaths  to  population,  it  will  be  per- 
ceived, is  about  the  same  as  in  1855,  and  the  result 
equally*  favorable  to  Philadelphia. 

3.  PROTECTION  AGAINST  FIRES,  &c.  Disastrous  fires,  it 
is  well  known,  occur  more  frequently  in  American  than 
European  cities ;  and  there  was  a  period  when  Philadel- 
phia enjoyed  an  unenviable  distinction  in  this  respect, 
even  among  her  sister  cities.  Fortunately  that  period 
has  gone  by,  and  we  now  may  proclaim  confidently  that  in 
no  American  city  is  life  more  secure,  or  property  better 
protected,  than  in  Philadelphia.  One  of  the  causes,  it 
was  ascertained,  of  the  former  prevalence  of  fires,  and 
the  destruction  of  property,  was  the  feuds  which  in 
course  of  time  had  sprung  up  between  the  various  organ- 
izations originally  established  for  the  extinguishment  of 
fires.  The  system  of  voluntary  association  for  this  pur- 
pose,— inaugurated,  it  is  said,  by  Franklin,  in  1732, — 
though  manifestly  calling  forth  a  great  deal  of  self-sacri- 


126  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

fice  and  heroism,  was  regarded  by  many  as  a  failure,  or 
in  other  words,  as  better  adapted  for  small  towns  than 
for  large  cities.  But  many  of  the  evils  developed  from 
this  source  have  been  obviated  by  the  reorganization  of  the 
Fire  Department,  recently  effected:  that  is,  by  disbanding 
the  most  disorderly  companies,  dividing  the  city  into  dis- 
tricts, permitting  only  a  prescribed  number  of  companies 
to  go  into  service  except  in  case  of  a  large  fire,  when 
the  general  alarm  rung  on  the  State-House  bell  calls 
the  whole  Department  into  requisition.* 

In  1856,  another  very  important  improvement  was 
made  by  the  establishment  of  a  Police  and  Fire  Alarm 
Telegraph,  by  which  information  can  be  communicated, 
at  a  moment's  notice,  to  and  from  any  of  the  sixteen 
Police-stations  that  comprise  the  jurisdiction.  During 
1857,  by  this  means,  34,207  messages  were  transmitted, 
3,430  lost  children  restored  to  their  parents,  884  strayed 
and  stolen  animals  were  restored  to  owners,  392  fire 
alarms  given,  the  Coroner  notified  387  times,  and  1,361 
Police-officers  subpoenaed  to  testify  before  the  courts.  Still 
more  recently,  another  safeguard  was  originated  by  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  Fire  Detective  Police — a  department  of 
the  General  Police — specially  charged  with  the  duty  of 
investigating  fires  and  detecting  incendiaries.  The  incep- 
tion of  this  wise  measure  is  due,  we  believe,  to  the  Mayor, 
the  Hon.  RICHARD  VAUX,  and  its  success  and  efficiency, 
largely  to  the  signal  ability  of  the  chief  officer,  A.  W. 
BLACKBURN.  But  the  improvement  that  will  probably  be 
found  the  most  effective  of  all,  as  a  protection  against  se- 
rious loss  by  fire,  is  the  introduction  of  Steam  Fire  Engines. 

*The  Fire  Department  now  consists  of  42  Engine  Companies,  43  Hose 
Companies,  6  Hook  and  Ladder  Companies,  and  1  Steam  Fire  Engine. 
Members  about  8,500.  Officers — Chief  Engineer,  SAMUEL  P.  FEARON; 
Assistant  Engineers :  WM.  E.  STANCLIFF,  DAVID  M.  LTLE,  WM.  M.  LOUG- 
HBAD,  MICHAEL  YOUNG,  JOHN  GIVEN;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  EDWIN  F. 


PROTECTION   AGAINST   FIRE CAPITAL.  127 

"Within  a  few  months  past  a  Philadelphia  firm,  Messrs. 
REANEY,  NEAFIE  &  Co.,  have  produced  a  machine  in  all 
respects  a  striking  contrast  to  its  cumbersome  and  ineffi- 
cient Western  predecessor,  and  which  has  revolutionized 
popular  opinion  with  regard  to  the  practicability  of  steam 
for  this  purpose.  Several  Steam  Fire  Engines  are  now  in 
use  in  this  city,  and  many  others  in  course  of  construction. 
The  law  regulating  the  erection  of  buildings  will,  to 
some  extent,  diminish  fires ;  but  the  most  efficient  pro- 
tection against  serious  loss  which  manufacturers  and 
owners  of  property  in  Philadelphia  have,  exists  in  the 
reliable  character  of  numerous  Insurance  Companies, 
who  are  always  prepared  to  take  risks  at  low  rates,  and 
to  meet  losses  with  creditable  promptness.*  In  view  of 
all  these  circumstances,  we  are  not  surprised  to  learn, 
that  the  losses  by  fire  within  seven  months,  from  May, 
1857,  to  January,  1858,  were  a  quarter  of  a  million  of 
dollars  less  than  for  the  corresponding  period  of  1856 ; 
and  that  the  losses  to  the  owners  of  property,  that  is, 
over  and  above  insurance,  within  said  period,  amounted 
to  only  $54,780. 

3.  ABUNDANCE  OF  CAPITAL.  Another  matter  that  has 
a  bearing  upon  the  adaptation  of  localities  for  manufac- 
tures, is  the  quantity  of  floating  or  loanable  capital — or,  in 
other  words,  the  normal  state  of  the  money  market.  The 
success  of  the  English  manufacturer,  compared  with  that 
of  the  American,  is  probably  due  less  to  the  low  rate  of 
wages  in  England,  or  to  any  other  one  circumstance, 
than  to  the  low  charges  for  the  use  of  capital.  In  this 
country  the  rates  of  interest,  advanced  by  the  competi- 
tion engendered  by  the  tempting  opportunities  for  profit, 

•  We  may  probably  insert  in  the  Appendix  a  list  of  Insurance  Companies 
of  undoubted  solvency,  as  in  some  degree  a  protection  for  our  distant 
friends,  and  even  our  own  citizens,  against  bogus  Insurance  Agencies,  dat- 
ing from  this  city. 

' 


128  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

are  in  most  places  too  high  for  Manufactures  yet  in 
their  infancy,  and  weighed  down  by  an  inhospitable  po- 
litical sentiment,  to  sustain.  There  is  a  marked  differ- 
ence, however,  in  this  respect  between  different  localities, 
and  we  think  we  do  not  err  in  saying,  that  in  no  city  in 
the  United  States  have  the  rates  of  interest  on  second- 
class  paper — for  an  average  of  years — been  so  uniform- 
ly low  as  in  Philadelphia;  none  in  which  there  are  so 
many  small  surplus  capitals,  say  from  ten  to  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  and  upward,  constantly  seeking  in- 
vestment in  temporary  and  permanent  loans.  Large  for- 
tunes are,  it  is  probable,  less  numerous  now,  or  at  least 
less  prominently  conspicuous,  than  formerly  ;*  the  bank- 
ing capital  of  the  city,  being  about  $12,000,000,  is  hardly 
one  third  of  the  amount  twenty  years  ago  ;  nevertheless, 
that  unfailing  barometer  of  money  centres — the  average 
rate  of  interest — has  generally  indicated  an  abundance 
of  loanable  capital.  If  our  Manufacturers  have  not  aa 
yet  derived  their  proper  share  of  benefit  from  this  cir- 
cumstance ;  or,  if  bank  officers,  in  distributing  their 
loans,  have  not  exercised  a  wise  discrimination  in  their 
favor,  we  sincerely  hope  that  the  mistake  originated  solely 

*  A  Book  of  Millionaires  in  Philadelphia,  if  published  at  this  time,  would 
be  more  imposing  from  its  subject  than  its  size,  unless  the  author  adopted 
the  New  York  plan,  and  inserted  the  biographies  of  all  who  are  worth  a 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  or  so.  There  are,  however,  within  our  knowledge 
twenty-five  individuals  in  this  city  accredited,  by  their  intimate  acquaint- 
ances, with  the  ownership  of  a  million  and  more,  viz. ;  JOHN  GRIGG,  (retired 
Publisher) ;  Jos.  HAKRISON,  Jr.,  (of  Russian  celebrity) ;  QKO.  W.  CARPENTER, 
(druggist) ;  RICHARD  ASHURST,  (private  banker^ ;  JOHN  B.  MYERS,  (auc- 
tioneer); ALEX.  BENSON,  (broker);  F.  A.  DREXKL,  (banker);  JACOB  STEIN- 
HETZ,  (farmer) ;  J.  S.  LOVEBINQ,  (sugar  refiner) ;  WM.  H.  STEWART,  (planter) ; 
J.  P.  GROZER,  (manufacturer);  RICHARD  WISTAR,  JOHN  WISTAR,  JAMKS 

DCNDAS,    J.   J.    RlDOWAY,    DR.  J.   RflEA  BARTON,   DR.  JAMES    RUSH,    CHARLES 

HENRY  FISHER,  J.  FRANCIS  FISHER,  MRS.  LOGAN,  EVANS  ROGEKS,  H.  MESS- 
CHERT,  JOHN  A.  BROWN,  DAVID  JAYNE,  J.  L.  FLORANCE,  and  several  Million- 
aire estates.  But  the  author  of  the  "  Wealthy  Men  in  New  York,"  who  in- 
cluded NICHOLAS  LONG  WORTH,  of  Cincinnati,  among  the  number,  would 
find  no  difficulty  in  extending  this  list  in  Philadelphia. 


CAPITAL — SUPERIOR  MACHINES.  129 

in  misconception  as  to  the  predominant  interest  of  the 
city  ;  and  that,  with  the  aid  of  the  late  panic,  in  destroy- 
ing the  blinding  fascination  of  "  gilt-edged  paper," — and 
perhaps  in  some  humble  degree,  with  the  aid  of  this 
volume — Manufacturers  and  Mechanics  will  hereafter  ap- 
proximate more  closely  to  that  position  in  the  scale  of 
mercantile  credit,  to  which  the  advantages  of  the  locality, 
and  their  own  solvency  and  usefulness,  unquestionably 
entitle  them. 

5.  SUPERIOR  MACHINES.  The  immense  productive 
power  of  machinery,  compared  with  mere  manual  opera- 
tions, can  require  at  this  day  no  illustration.  For  instance, 
by  the  improvements  effected  in  Spinning  Machinery,  one 
man  can  attend  to  a  mule  containing  1,088  spindles;  each 
spinning  three  hanks,  or  3,263  hanks  a  day  ;  so  that,  as 
compared  with  the  operations  of  the  most  expert  spinner 
in  Hindostan,  an  American  operative  can  perform  the 
work  of  three  thousand  men.  The  efficiency  of  ma- 
chinery, however,  like  that  of  labor,  depends  upon  its 
quality ;  and  this,  it  would  seem,  depends  upon  the 
cheapness  and  abundance  of  the  materials  that  enter 
into  the  composition  of  machines.  In  England,  it  has 
been  supposed,  that  if  Iron,  Steel,  and  Brass,  were  less 
abundant,  the  machines  would  be  in  a  less  degree  supe- 
rior; and  in  the  United  States,  though  the  mechanical 
appliances  in  use  are  almost  everywhere  deserving  of  ad- 
miration— none  are  probably  more  remarkable  for  power 
and  efficiency  than  those  in  Philadelphia.  A  gentleman, 
who  has  quite  recently  made  the  Manufactures  of  Iron  in 
this  city  the  subject  of  investigation,  publishes  the  fol- 
lowing observations  respecting  the  machines  in  use  in 
the  Iron  establishments  : 

"  In  the  course  of  our  inquiries  into  the  Manufactures  of  Iron  in  this 
city,  the  bearing  of   machinery  upon  production  has  been  constantly 
brought  to  notice,  and  striking  instances  of  its  value  have  been  observed. 
10 


130  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

In  a  leading  establishment,  where  foundry  work  is  the  principal  business, 
six  thousand  tons  of  iron  being  melted  per  year,  the  economical  power 
of  machinery  in  moving  all  the  masses  of  iron  is  such  that  the  produc- 
tion of  each  man  exceeds  three  thousand  dollars  annually  for  the  aver- 
age of  all  the  employed.  This  is  three  times  the  production  of  equally 
skilled  workmen,  without  machinery.  The  lowest  average  for  foundry 
work,  as  well  as  for  artisans  in  wrought  iron,  is  below  a  thousand  dol- 
lars per  annum,  and  this  whether  they  handle  a  large  weight  of  iron  or 
not,  if  the  processes  are  conducted  by  physical  strength  alone,  and 
wholly  without  the  use  of  machinery.  In  short,  the  economy  of  ma- 
chinery applies  alike  to  all  forms  of  iron  working,  and  to  the  processes 
which  change  its  value  least,  equally  with  those  which  increase  its  value 
many  times. 

"  The  introduction  of  machinery  has  revolutionized  the  simple  pro- 
duction of  Iron  from  the  ores  also.  It  has  been  stated  to  us  that  the 
anthracite  furnaces  now  make  six  thousand  tons  of  iron  more  easily 
than  six  hundred  tons  were  made  fifteen  or  twenty  years  ago.  In  every 
thing  that  relates  to  the  making  or  working  of  iron  there  is  the  greatest 
possible  inducement  to  the  employment  and  perfecting  of  machinery, 
intended  to  economize  the  force  required,  and  the  labor  employed.  In 
this  direction  investment  is  safe,  and  capital  is  certain  of  satisfactory 
returns.  The  leading  departments  of  iron  manufacture  furnish  articles 
of  universal  yse  and  universal  necessity,  in  which  accumulation  of 
stocks  is  not  to  be  dreaded  so  much  as  the  narrow  margin  between  cost 
and  sale  prices.  Reduce  the  cost  of  manufacture  fifteen  or  twenty  per 
cent.,  and  the  proprietor  may  proceed  in  the  face  of  even  a  dull  market, 
and  indeed,  under  a  total  cessation  of  orders.  The  direction  in  which 
improvement  lies  is  in  perfecting  and  introducing  powerful  machinery, 
and  every  inducement  concurs  to  urge  attention  to  this  point. 

"  It  is  noticeable  that  the  machinery  employed  in  American  manufac- 
tures of  iron  is  new  and  original  in  almost  all  cases.  The  most  signal 
economies  of  power  in  the  establishments  of  this  city  are  not  by  the  use 
of  purchased  machinery,  but  they  are  the  creations  of  the  proprietors 
who  use  them,  suggested  in  the  course  of  their  work,  and  devised  and 
applied  by  themselves.  In  all  forms  of  machinist  manufacture  those 
inventive  and  constructive  processes  are  making  rapid  progress.  The 
great  capital  they  represent  when  finished,  is  capital  created  by  the 
establishment,  and  not  an  investment  from  the  outside.  This  fact 
guarantees  the  permanent  efficiency  of  these  manufactures,  since  such 
capital  is  not  easily  withdrawn,  and  the  establishment  is  not  broken  up 
by  temporary  depression  of  a  business,  or  even  by  the  dispersion  of 
workmen  for  a  considerable  time. 

"  It  has  been  recently  stated  that  the  machinery  invented  and  applied 


SUPERIOR   MACHINES— MACHINE   TOOLS.  131 

in  American  armories,  private,  as  well  as  those  belonging  to  the  gov- 
ernment, is  mm;h  sought  in  Europe,  and  will  soon  be  in  almost  universal 
nse  abroad.  This  fact  bears  directly  on  the  point  we  are  stating. 
Machinist  machinery  is  equally  advanced  here  ;  and  at  two  or  three  of 
our  great  establishments  it  is  confessedly  superior  to  that  of  the  cele- 
brated Lowell  Machine  Works,  while  constant  improvements  are  being 
made.  In  the  appliances  for  handling  iron  in  heavy  foundry  work,  the 
world  may  be  challenged  for  comparison  with  the  machinery  of  at  least 
one  great  establishment  here,  and  the  most  important  items  in  that 
case  are  the  absolute  creation  of  the  proprietors.  It  is  obvious  that 
such  machinery  differs  widely,  in  its  economical  importance,  from  that 
which  is  purchased  by  direct  expenditure,  and  particularly  from  any 
form  of  machinery  imported  from  other  quarters. 

"  The  direction  in  which  this  city  always  will  excel  is  in  the  handling 
of  heavy  masses  of  metals.  Power  is  cheapest  here,  and  necessity  first 
impels  to  the  economy  of  forge-work,  iron  rolling,  foundry-work,  ship 
building,  and  costly  machine  building.  In  the  minor  manufactures  the 
application  of  improvements  is  more  rapidly  made  at  the  North  ;  but 
this  is  from  want  of  attention  here,  instead  of  from  want  of  the  requi- 
site field  and  facilities.  No  location  in  the  Union  can  compare  with 
this  in  natural  advantages  for  the  manufacture  of  arms  of  every  sort, 
cutlery  and  tools,  implements  of  every  kind,  and  the  multitude  of  minor 
manufactures  in  which  inventive  talent  and  machinery  decide  the  whole 
question  of  profitable  attention  to  the  business.  The  market  is  the 
whole  world.  At  this  moment  many  superior  instruments  of  steel  and 
iron  are  actually  made  here  for  European  sale ;  and  the  skill  which  does 
this  now  on  a  small  scale,  only  requires  the  aid  of  more  perfect  ma- 
chinery, and  the  capital  necessary  to  work  it,  to  make  the  business  all 
that  the  most  sanguine  might  wish." 

In  the  production  of  MACHINE  TOOLS,  and  fine  as  well 
as  heavy  machinery,  very  marked  success  has  attended 
the  efforts  of  our  mechanical  engineers.  The  Lathes, 
Planers,  Drills,  Borers,  and  the  machinery  for  working 
metals  generally,  made  in  Philadelphia,  are  wonderful 
specimens  of  workmanship,  and  celebrated  not  only 
throughout  the  United  States,  but  in  portions  of  Europe. 
A  few  years  ago,  Commissioners  were  sent  to  this  coun- 
try to  procure  tools  and  machines  for  the  government 
workshops  in  Russia.  Discharging  their  duty  faithfully, 
they  visited,  we  believe,  all  the  manufactories  of  these 


132  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

important  articles  in  New  England  and  the  principal 
cities ;  and,  though  they  found  the  prices  in  some  in- 
stances nominally  cheaper,  their  order  was  reserved 
until  they  again  reached  this  city.  The  machines  of 
New  England,  in  consequence  of  the  great  cost  of  iron, 
are  remarkable  for  their  lightness  ;  but  in  substantial  ex- 
cellence and  quality  of  workmanship,  none  can  compare 
with  those  of  Philadelphia. 

In  reflecting  upon  the  causes  conducive  to  superiority 
in  this  particular,  it  has  occurred  to  me  as  probable,  that 
the  establishment  and  continuance  of  the  United  States 
Mint,  in  this  city,  have  tended  in  some  degree,  by  creating 
a  demand  for  a  finer  and  higher  class  of  workmanship,  to 
centre  here  the  best  skill  in  this  department  of  Me- 
chanics. No  expense  being  spared  by  the  able  managers 
of  that  Institution  to  procure  the  most  perfect  machines ; 
and  every  reasonable  facility  being  afforded  for  experi- 
ment, we  need  scarcely  wonder  at  the  degree  of  perfec- 
tion that  has  been  attained.  Our  Mint  has  probably 
originated  a  greater  number  of  valuable  improvements 
than  any  similar  establishment  in  the  world ;  and  all  per- 
sons familiar  with  its  past  history  and  present  manage- 
ment, unite  with  the  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Assay 
Commissioners,  in  stating  " that  the  Institution,  in  their 
opinion,  is  conducted  and  maintained  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  merit  the  highest  confidence  of  the  Government  and 
the  public."* 

*  The  Director  of  the  Mint  has  favored  me  with  the  following  letter,  in 
answer  to  a  request  for  some  information  respecting  the  machines,  and  the 
curiosities  to  be  seen  in  that  establishment ;  and,  as  it  will  be  read  with 
interest,  I  trust  he  will  pardon  its  publication. 

"MiNT  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

Philadelphia,  Jan.  21,  1858. 
"DEAR  SIR: 

"  Without  being  able  at  present   to  go  minutely  into   the   subjects 
mentioned  in  your  note  of  the  5th,  I  may  state,  that  the  establishment  and 


ESTABLISHED    REPUTATION.  133 

6.  ESTABLISHED  REPUTATION.  Established  reputation, 
though  in  its  nature  etherial,  is  an  object  of  substantial 
value — a  power  in  the  money  market.  It  is  of  two 
kinds — personal  and  local.  The  marketable  value  of 

continuance  of  the  Mint,  in  this  city,  have  undoubtedly  had  their  share  in 
calling  forth  the  various  kinds  of  scientific  and  mechanical  talent,  which 
are  requisite  for  the  successful  conduct  of  such  an  Institution. 

"Within  a  period,  now  embracing  more  than  sixty  years,  there  has  been 
a  large  amount  of  machinery  manufactured  for,  and  within  the  Mint  estab- 
lishment, from  the  more  ordinary  workmanship  up  to  the  most  delicate  and 
elaborate.  A  number  of  important  mechanisms  and  processes  have  had 
their  origin  and  invention  here ;  and  others,  borrowed  from  other  places, 
have  been  modified  and  improved.  Some  instruments,  it  is  true,  are  still 
imported;  but  they  are  now  of  comparatively  trivial  account,  being  such  as 
are  of  so  limited  demand,  as  not  to  be  an  object  for  the  attention  of  our 
artists. 

"  The  most  important  improvements  introduced  into  the  Department  of 
the  Chief  Coiner,  have  been,  the  press  for  cutting  out  blanks  or  planchets ; 
the  draw-bench  for  equalizing  the  strips — afterward  adopted  in  the  London 
Mint ;  the  old  self-feeding  lever-coining  press,  and  after  it  the  steam 
press;  the  milling  machine;  the  counting  machine;  and  the  arrangements 
for  cleaning;  also,  many  fine  balance  beams,  large  and  small;  and  an  as- 
sorting machine,  not  as  yet  brought  into  use.  The  system  of  hardening  dies 
was  originated  at  the  Mint,  and  is  greatly  superior  to  the  methods  hereto- 
fore practiced. 

"  In  the  Melter  and  Refiner's  Department,  we  may  specify  the  parting 
arrangement,  for  separating  gold  and  silver ;  the  hydraulic  press,  for  con- 
densing the  powdered  gold  or  silver;  the  sweep  machine;  and  the  various 
arrangements  by  which  the  melting  has  been  made  a  neat  and  economical 
operation. 

"In  the  Assayer's  Department:  the  delicate  balances;  the  gas-bath; 
and  generally,  the  systematic  arrangements  for  the  assay  of  gold,  silver, 
and  copper. 

"The  Cabinet  of  coins,  medals,  and  ores,  which  occupies  a  suite  of 
apartments  at  the  Mint,  is  an  attractive  feature  in  the  Institution.  The 
collection  is  not  very  large,  if  compared  with  similar  Cabinets  in  Europe ; 
but  it  is  sufficiently  so  to  furnish  valuable  information  on  the  subject  of 
Coinage,  and  useful  monuments  of  history.  Besides,  an  examination  of  tho 
collection  gratifies  popular  curiosity,  as  well  as  educated  taste. 

«*  I  may  add  in  conclusion,  that  the  Mint  has,  within  a  year  or  two  past, 
been  rendered  thoroughly  fire-proof  in  all  its  departments,  and  the  arrange- 
10* 


134  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

the  products  of  mechanical  industry,  every  one  will 
concede,  is  affected  riot  merely  by  the  reputation  of  the 
maker,  but  also  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  by  the  gen- 
eral reputation  of  the  place  of  their  manufacture.  No 
illustration  of  the  principle  can  be  necessary;  but  if  it 
were,  we  might  refer  to  France,  the  stamp  of  whose 
city,  "Paris,"  on  articles  of  vertu,  of  itself  commands  a 
premium;  or  again,  we  might  refer  to  New  England, 
whose  stamp  unfortunately,  in  many  instances,  does  not 
tend  to  elevate  the  price  of  articles  to  which  it  is  at- 
tached. The  value  of  a  good  name  is  appreciated,  per- 
haps, by  none  so  forcibly  as  by  those  who  have  lost  it. 
The  manufacturers  and  mechanics  of  New  England 
would  no  doubt  give  millions  to  obliterate  from  human 
recollection  the  impressions  produced,  in  part,  by  oper- 
ations in  wooden  nutmegs,  mahogany  hams,  oak-leaf 
cigars,  and  paper-soled  shoes.  Deceptions  of  this  kind, 
and  trickeries  frequently  practiced  by  Yankee  operators, 
though  we  believe  and  insist  only  by  a  few,  and  the  pro- 
duction of  a  vast  quantity  of  cheap,  fragile  fabrics,  have 
so  impaired  confidence  in  Yankee  contrivances  in  gen- 
eral, that  all,  no  matter  how  excellent  in  themselves, 
are  prejudged  unfavorably  from  the  place  of  their  origin. 
To  avoid  this  prejudice,  or  to  partake  of  the  advantages 
of  an  established  reputation,  New  England  manufactu- 
rers are  often  tempted  to  put  foreign  or  fictitious  stamps 
on  their  best  fabrics  ;  and  thus  our  country  loses  its  share 
of  credit  for  the  excellence  it  has  achieved,  while  it  must 

nient  of  the  rooms  appropriated  to  the  different  branches  of  business  greatly 
improved.     It  is  thus  in  a  condition  of  great  efficiency  and  security,  and  is 
believed  to  be  unsurpassed  by  any  similar  institution. 
"  I  am,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  ob't  servant, 

"JAMES  ROSS  SNOWDEN, 

"  Director  of  the  Mint. 
"To  E.  T.  FRKEDLBT,  Esq." 


OPPORTUNITIES   TOR    ART-CULTURE.  135 

bear  the  reproach  of  its  defaults.  But  mechanics  in 
Philadelphia,  fortunately,  have  none  of  these  difficulties 
to  overcome.  The  same  manufacturers,  if  located  here, — 
and  we  welcome  them, — would  find  the  way  clear  before 
them,  the  prepossessions  of  people  at  a  distance  in  the 
South  and  the  West  in  their  favor,  and  their  products 
commanding  a  readier  sale  in  consequence.  Every 
auctioneer  will  testify  that  a  Philadelphia  made  car- 
riage will  command  more  spirited  bidding,  and  most 
probably  a  higher  price,  than  a  Connecticut  carriage  of 
equal  quality.  The  stamp,  "Philadelphia,"  is  every- 
where regarded  as  prima  facie  evidence  of  good  ma- 
terials and  superior  workmanship.  A  Philadelphia  me- 
chanic is  everywhere  a  title  of  reputable  distinction, 
and  a  very  acceptable  passport  to  employment  in  every 
intelligent  master-workman's  shop.  Hence  our  Manu- 
facturers reverse  the  practice  of  their  competitors  in  New 
England,  and  put  their  names  and  stamp  on  their  best 
products,  leaving  the  inferior  in  some  instances  to  those 
who  choose  to  adopt  them.* 

7.  Lastly.  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR  ART-CULTURE.  Art, 
in  its  relations  to  Manufactures,  has  not,  until  quite  re- 
cently, been  appreciated  by  any  considerable  portion  of 
the  American,  or  even  the  English  people,  to  a  degree 
in  anywise  approximate  to  its  importance.  Both  have 
long  known,  it  is  true,  that  certain  goods  sell  better  than 
others — that  English  and  American  prints,  for  instance, 
would  be  less  saleable  at  the  same  price  than  those  of 
France ;  yet,  even  while  claiming  superiority  in  the  qual- 
ity of  the  cloth,  neither  has  been  willing  to  attach  any 
special  importance  to  beauty  and  originality  of  design. 

•  The  principal  exception  to  this  rule  is,  that  New  York  dealers  some- 
times pay  such  irresistibly  tempting  prices  to  have  their  names  affixed,  as 
makers,  to  articles  nctunlly  made  in  Philadelphia,  that  our  Manufacturers 
forego  the  honor  for  the  sake  of  the  money. 


136  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTUPvES. 

This  is  the  more  remarkable,  inasmuch  as  it  must  be 
evident  to  the  least  imaginative,  how  many  articles  are 
valued  mainly  for  their  style  of  ornamentation.  We 
might  mention  carpetings  and  floor-cloths,  carved  wood 
and  furniture,  curtains,  and  other  hangings ;  inlaid 
•floors,  ornamental  glass,  stained  glass,  metal  work,  grates 
and  stoves,  gas  fittings,  paper  and  other  hangings,  por- 
celain, pottery,  works  in  the  precious  metals,  works  in 
stone,  and  a  great  variety  of  garment  fabrics.  The 
French,  in  the  meanwhile,  have  unceasingly  aimed  at 
perfection  in  the  Ornamental  Arts.  To  improve  the  na- 
tional taste,  they  long  ago  established  Schools  of  Design 
and  National  Collections  of  Art ;  and  to  train  up  a  band 
of  skilled  workmen,  they  more  recently  erected  National 
Manufactories,  employing  the  best  painters,  sculptors, 
and  designers,  as  well  as  men  of  the  most  scientific  ac- 
quirements in  Botany,  Mineralogy,  and  Chemistry.  In 
these  establishments  the  cost  of  repeated  failures  is 
totally  disregarded,  and  every  effort  made  to  bring  to 
perfection  the  fabrics  wrought  in  them,  both  as  to  the 
highest  excellence  in  workmanship  and  materials,  and  to 
their  embellishment  in  ornamental  design.  The  result  is, 
that  both  English  and  American  Manufacturers  must 
admit,  as  Cobden  did  before  a  Manchester  audience, 
"  we  do  not  know  what  we  shall  have  to  print,  nor  what 
the  ladies  will  wear,  till  we  find  out  what  the  French  are 
preparing  for  the  next  spring."  But  with  all  their 
schools,  Art  collections,  and  national  manufactories,  we 
do  not  believe  that  the  French  would  have  attained  any 
notable  success  in  decoration,  if  they  had  adopted  the 
Yankee  system  of  segregation ;  and  instead  of  carrying 
on  their  manufactures  in  cities  like  Paris  and  Lyons,  they 
had  sought  cheap  lots,  gentle  water-falls,  and  the  mossy 
banks  of  meandering  streams.  Taste  is  a  thing  of  cul- 
ture— it  is  only  in  isolated  instances,  if  ever,  a  gift  of 


OPPORTUNITIES   FOR   ART-CULTURE.  137 

Nature.  The  ability  to  judge,  and  especially  to  execute 
what  is  tasteful  in  works  of  Art,  is  the  result  of  long 
familiarity  with  good  models  and  constant  observation 
of  the  master-pieces  in  Art.  The  sight  of  excellence  in 
the  products  of  skilled  workmanship  stimulates  to  exer- 
tion, and  produces  excellence  in  other  fabrics  perhaps 
essentially  dissimilar.  Hence,  the  great  advantage  of  car- 
rying on  the  higher  class  of  Manufactures  in  or  near  the 
cities  abounding  in  the  best  models,  and  where  the  eye, 
if  not  the  hand,  may  be  educated  almost  imperceptibly 
to  a  high  degree  of  artistic  perception. 

Now,  if  we  were  seeking  some  one  of  the  various 
cities  in  which  to  apply  these  principles,  where,  we  would 
ask,  is  the  principal  home  of  the  Arts  in  America? 
"Which  contains  the  finest  models  in  Architecture,  Sculp- 
ture, and  Painting  ?  There  could  be  but  one  answer — 
Philadelphia.  No  other  city  in  the  Union  contains  so 
many  buildings  that  are  models  of  classic  beauty — so 
many  evidences  of  a  cultivated  taste — so  many  eminent 
artists — and,  we  may  say,  so  many  devotees  of  Music,  for 
no  other  city  has  been  able  to  sustain  the  Italian  Opera 
with  equal  success.  A  procession  of  those  in  this  city, 
who  make  Art  their  study,  would  be  imposing  from  its 
numbers,  as  well  as  the  talents  of  its  members.  At  their 
head,  by  common  consent,  we  would  find  the  veterans 
Sully,  Neagle,  and  Peale ;  and  not  far  behind  them,  Lamb- 
din,  Waugh,  Scheussle,  Hamilton,  Rothermel,  "Weber, 
Van  Starkenborg,  Moran,  Schindler,  Conarroe,  Boutelle, 
and  Bowers ;  and  among  the  younger  men,  George  C. 
Lambdin,  George  F.  Bensell,  Edwin  Lewis,  Haseltine, 
Richards,  Furness,  and  many  others,  who  are  entitled  to 
a  niche  in  the  temple  of  artistic  fame ;  while  in  the  ranks 
there  would  be  many  who,  when  the  leaders  fall,  can 
fill  their  places — many  Engravers  on  wood  and  steei, 
and  Lithographers,  who  give  to  our  Government's  costly 


138  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

publications  their  principal  value  and  attractions — many 
Designers  and  Artists  in  bronze,  whose  chandeliers  and 
lamps,  at  the  World's  Fair,  extorted  admiration  from 
the  English  and  French  for  "  lightness  and  purity  of 
design," — some  beautiful  women,  too,  whose  cultivated 
fancies,  stamped  on  paper  or  woven  fabrics,  gladden 
the  eye  in  thousands  of  homes;  and  sculptors,  whose 
works  in  stone  and  marble  grace  Galleries  and  Capitols, 
and  whose  sarcophagi  and  mausoleums  adorn  almost 
all  the  Cemeteries  in  the  land.  Ornamental  Art  is  with- 
out a  home  in  America,  if  it  be  not  in  Philadelphia. 
Here  then  is  the  proper  place  for  the  establishment  of  a 
Normal  School  of  Design,  to  supply  manufacturing  towns 
throughout  the  country  with  competent  teachers,  who 
may  aid  in  elevating  the  Art-products  of  America  to  a 
level  with  those  of  the  most  advanced  European  coun- 
tries. We  trust  some  one  of  our  men  of  fortune  will  in- 
herit the  blessings  of  future  ages  by  endowing  such  an 
Institution,  and  in  connection  therewith  establish  a  Mu- 
seum of  Art,  which  shall  contain  all  the  best  models — 
ancient  and  modern — in  every  department  of  Decorative 
Art,  from  a  coffee-pot  to  an  original  Apollo  Belvidere. 

•  '  '         '  ' '  I  '  i      f'-llir'Htill'l      '••    i       I  >'    •'  '     •'      "/       f  •     '         '•    •  ,  .  I 

There  are  many  other  advantages  that  might  be  noted 
— the  law  of  limited  liability  in  Partnership  for  instance 
— tending  to  show  that  Philadelphia  ought  to  attain 
eminence  in  Manufactures.  We,  however,  pass  them  by, 
for  they  may  all  be  included  in  one  point,  viz.,  Philadel- 
phia is  already  a  great  Manufacturing  city.  I  hold  it  to 
be  eminently  safe  to  infer,  that  a  locality  in  which  manu- 
facturing industry  has  already  taken  a  deep,  permanent 
root,  particularly  if  it  manifest  an  indigenous  growth, 
possesses  a  soil  adapted  therefor,  whether  by  analysis 
we  can  perceive  the  ingredients  or  not.  Moreover,  it 
seems  probable,  almost  certain,  that  the  spot  in  this 


MANUFACTURING   INDUSTRY   OF   PHILADELPHIA.         139 

country  now  exhibiting  the  most  varied  and  extensive 
development  of  mechanical  industry,  in  conjunction  with 
enduriugly  favorable  circumstances,  will  remain  for  a 
century  to  come  the  central  and  chief  seat  of  the  higher 
and  more  artistic  Manufactures  in  America,  notwith- 
standing the  growth  and  promise  of  other  places  pos- 
sessing theoretically  marked  advantages. 

To  illustrate  the  present  development  of  manufactur- 
ing industry  in  Philadelphia,  I  herewith  submit  the 
results,  not  generally  of  my  own  observation  or  knowl- 
edge, but  that  of  others,  and  principally  of  reports 
made  to  me  by  gentlemen  specially  employed  to  report 
on  certain  branches — men  far  more  competent  and  more 
experienced  in  mechanical  matters  than  myself — and  not 
one  of  whom  is  a  native  of  this  city.  Months  have  been 
occupied  in  this  investigation ;  but  as  comparatively 
few  facts, — especially  statistical  facts, — after  due  inquiry, 
could  be  precisely  and  accurately  ascertained,  and  none 
others  were  desired,  the  reports  give  no  indication  of  the 
labor  involved.*  '  ^.'', 

•  Numerous  attempts  have  been  made  at  different  times  to  investigate 
the  manufacturing  industry  of  Philadelphia.  Several  years  ago  a  Statis- 
tical Society  was  organized,  we  believe,  for  the  express  purpose  of  ascertain- 
ing the  capital  in  trade  and  manufactures,  the  number  of  hands  employed 
and  wages  paid,  and  the  aggregate  of  production;  but  its  officers,  we  un- 
derstand, have  not  as  yet  submitted  their  report.  More  recently,  a  com- 
mittee of  highly  respectable  and  trustworthy  gentlemen,  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Trade,  undertook  the  commission ;  but  the  most  important 
information  that  they  ascertained  and  reported  was,  that  "inquiries  of 
this  kind  are  exceedingly  impertinent  and  offensive,  and  they  will  not  be 
answered  ;  nor  can  any  authority  compel  a  response  to  them.  They  will  be 
either  treated  with  silence;  or,  if  replied  to,  they  will  elicit  no  full  and  re- 
Liable  intelligence.  We  do  not  make  this  assertion  without  ample  reason." 
The  Board  of  Trade  consequently  recommend,  and  their  advice  has  been 
heeded  by  us,  not  to  extend  inquiries  beyond  what  can  be  precisely  and 
accurately  ascertained.  If,  by  this  course,  a  less  number  of  important 
facts  are  elicited,  many  rash  or  doubtful  assertions  are  avoided.  Our  con- 
viction with  respect  to  statistics  is,  that  the  mean  of  estimates  of  intelligent 


140  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

They  may  also,  to  a  certain  extent,  be  considered  the 
opinions  of  one  or  more  of  the  leading  men  in  each 
branch  of  industry;  for  large  indebtedness  is  due  to  this 
source,  both  for  original  suggestions  and  confirmation  of 
points  otherwise  doubtful.  The  reports  submitted  are 
not  intended  to  exhibit  the  entire  manufacturing  indus- 
try of  Philadelphia — to  ascertain  that  would  require  the 
purse  of  Fortunatus,  and  inquisitorial  powers  far  greater 
than  any  possessed  by  the  Pope  of  Rome,  the  King  of  Na- 
ples, or  the  Emperor  of  all  the  Russias,  or  all  of  them 
combined — but  simply  to  state  the  facts  that  have  come 
within  the  range  of  our  observation,  and  submit  them 
in  illustration  of  the  position  and  assertion,  that  Phila- 
delphia is  already  a  great  Manufacturing  city,  most  prob- 
ably the  greatest  in  the  Union. 

men,  familiar  with  the  branch  with  which  they  are  connected,  or  with  the 
business  of  their  neighbors,  is  likely  to  lead  to  more  reliable  aggregate 
results  than  any  direct  personal  inquiries  of  each  individual.  In  the  latter 
case,  the  small  operators  who  reply  at  all,  are  habitually  disposed  to  exag- 
gerate, and  the  larger  ones,  who  have  a  mortal  aversion  to  the  tax-gatherer 
and  competitors,  frequently  report  a  small  product  and  a  gloomy  state  of 
affairs.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  each  succeeding  attempt  will  be 
attended  with  more  success  than  the  previous  ones ;  and  the  time  will  come 
when  it  will  be  possible  to  exhibit  statistically  the  particulars,  as  well  as 
the  aggregate  of  the  mechanical  and  manufacturing  industry  of  Philadel- 
phia. At  present,  the  best  than  can  be  done  is  to  make  a  readable  exhibit. 


REPORTS 

UPON    THE 

PROGRESS  AND  PRESENT  DEVELOPMENT 

OF   THE 

LEADING  BRANCHES  OF  PRODUCTIVE  INDUSTRY 

IN 

PHILADELPHIA. 


ASSUMING  that  an  Alphabetical  arrangement  of  subjects  would 
be  most  convenient  for  reference ;  but,  deeming  it  advisable  to 
group  together  those  which  have  practically  some  points  of  affin- 
ity, whether  through  identity  of  raw  material  or  similarity  in  uses, 
we  come  to — 

I. 
Agricultural  Implements,  Seeds,  Fertilizers,  &c. 

The  manufacture  of  Agricultural  Implements,  we  are  somewhat 
astonished  to  learn,  is  comparatively  a  new  branch  of  industry  in 
Philadelphia.  It  seems  almost  incredible  that  her  citizens,  ever  fore- 
most, as  we  have  shown  them  to  have  been,  in  enterprises  designed 
to  promote  Agricultural  Improvement,  were,  until  within  a  few 
years,  content  that  the  farmers  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey 
should  be  dependent  upon  other  States  for  the  improved  imple- 
ments with  which  to  till  the  soil.  The  deficiency,  however,  is 
now  supplied.  Philadelphia  now  contains  some  very  superior 
establishments  in  this  branch  of  industry,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
following  report,  which  a  gentleman,  thoroughly  familiar  with  the 
subject,  has  placed  at  our  disposal. 

Pennsylvania,  so  widely  celebrated  for  her  Agriculture,  did  not  make 
within  her  borders,  until  within  a  few  years,  many  of  the  Implements 
used  in  tillage  and  harvesting.  It  is  true,  almost  every  cross-road  had  its 
blacksmith  and  wheelwright,  whose  united  efforts  produced  a  plow,  or 
u  harrow ;  and  many  of  the  former  stand,  to  the  present  day,  unrivaled 

11  (HI) 


142  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

ill  the  immediate  locality  of  their  production  ;  but  regular  Agricultural 
Machine-shops  are  of  quite  recent  establishment,  the  larger  portion  of 
the  Implements,  formerly  sold  at  the  city  warehouses,  having  been 
imported  from  New  England,  whose  sterile  soil  had  compelled  its  ener- 
getic sons  to  seek  more  profitable  occupation  than  its  tillage, 

In  1854,  we  find,  was  founded  the  first  establishment  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  for  the  manufacture  of  Agricultural  Implements  gene- 
rally ;  prior  to  that,  there  were  shops  located  for  specific  objects,  as  for 
instance  Grain  Drills,  tff  which  those  made  by  Steacy,  and  by  Pennock, 
had  acquired  marked  celebrity;  but  for  the  manufacture  of  Farm  Im- 
plements generally,  we  believe  none  of  any  moment  existed.  In  the 
year  abovementioned,  David  Landreth  &  Son,  who,  with  their  prede- 
cessors in  the  house,  had  for  many  years  kept  large  supplies  in  Phila- 
delphia, obtained  from  various  sources,  established  their  Steam-works 
at  Bristol,  not  only  for  the  supply  of  their  principal  warehouse  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  their  branch-houses  in  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  St.  Louis, 
but  for  the  trade  in  general.  Shortly  subsequent  thereto,  was  likewise 
established  that  of  Bradfield,  the  '  Mount  Joy  Car  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany,' Savery's  Eagle  Plow  Factory,  that  of  C.  B.  Eogers,  and  Boas, 
Spangler  &  Co.,  of  Reading,  and  more  recently  Boyer  &  Brother,  each  of 
whom  turn  out  admirable  machines,  both  as  regards  workmanship  and 
materials  ;  and  Philadelphia,  once  dependent  upon  other  cities  for 
tillage  implements,  is  now  not  only  independent,  but  capable  of  minis- 
tering to  the  wants  of  her  sister  States  ;  and  we  trust  all  from  distant 
points,  whom  business  or  pleasure  may  bring  among  us,  will  examine 
the  rural  machinery  manufactured  in  and  near  our  city. 

GARDEN  SEED  TRADE.  The  Seed  trade  of  Philadelphia,  though,  in 
comparison  with  many  other  branches,  one  of  very  limited  extent,  is 
nevertheless  entitled  to  consideration,  when  discussing  the  industrial 
pursuits  of  our  citizens.  From  its  nature,  it  cannot  be  expected  that 
we  should  count  the  amount  of  sales,  in  this  department,  by  millions — 
a  few  hundreds  of  thousands,  at  the  most,  complete  the  aggregate ;  but 
the  reputation  which  our  city  sustains  in  this  especial  branch,  is  more 
worthy  of  note  than  the  amount  of  sales,  however  large  they  might  be. 
In  no  city  of  the  Union,  is  the  sale  of  Garden  Seeds  conducted  as  at 
Philadelphia.  In  New  York,  Boston,  and  Baltimore,  the  only  other 
points  at  which  the  wholesale  trade  in  Seeds  approaches  a  profession,  the 
supplies  are  mainly  obtained  from  Europe,  where  the  effect  of  cheap  labor 
upon  prices,  coupled  with  freedom  from  imposts  at  home,  enables  the 
'mporter  to  purchase  many  varieties  for  sale  here  at  a  cost  far  below  the 
actual  expense  of  production  in  this  country.  It  is  true  the  humid 
climate  of  Great  Britain,  from  which  country  the  major  portion  are 


AGRICULTURAL   IMPLEMENTS,    SEEDS,    ETC.  143 

obtained,  is  not  favorable  to  ripening  Seeds,  and  that  many  kinds  suffer 
by  a  sea  voyage — so  greatly  do  they  swell,  that  the  twine  on  papered 
parcels  is  not  nnfrequently  imbedded,  or  burst,  by  the  expansion; 
and  in  other  cases,  there  is  reason  to  believe  Seeds  already  im- 
paired by  age,  are  shipped  to  this  '  western  wilderness.'  Still  so  low- 
priced  are  many,  in  comparison  with  the  American,  that  the  mere 
dealer,  whose  study  is  to  buy  cheap,  imports  his  stock — not  reck- 
lessly we  hope,  but  trusting  for  the  best,  and  anxious  to  quote  low 
prices  to  the  country-merchant — a  fatal  policy — to  none  affording  in 
the  end  pleasure  or  profit.  The  druggist,  or  merchant,  who  retails 
them,  enticed  by  low  quotations,  is  beset  by  indignant  planters ;  and  the 
market-gardener,  who  has  unfortunately  staked  his  crop  upon  the 
issue,  finds  his  land  and  labor  for  the  season  have  been  cast  away — far 
better  for  him  had  he  paid  the  full  price  for  American  Seeds,  of  reliable 
character.  We  trust  he  may  have  learned  a  useful  lesson,  for  that 
must  be  his  compensation. 

In  the  '  Horticulturist,'  a  periodical  of  high  repute,  as  associated 
with  Downing,  its  founder  and  editor,  we  find,  in  the  No.  for  August, 
1854.  an  interesting  article  on  '  The  Seed  Trade  of  Philadelphia,'  attrib- 
uted to  J.  J.  Smith,  Esq.,  the  present  efficient  editor  of  that  maga- 
zine. 1  presume  your  limits  will  not  admit  of  quoting  much  there  said, 
but  refer  the  reader  to  the  article  itself.  The  fact  is  there  made  known, 
that  in  the  production  of  American  Seeds,  Philadelphia  stands  pre-emi 
nent — if  not  alone,  almost  without  a  rival ;  and  the  productions  of  one 
establishment,  which  dates  its  origin  within  a  few  years  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, are  sought  for  and  exported  to  nearly  every  country  to  which 
American  commerce  reaches.  Tons  are  annually  shipped  to  the  Brit- 
ish possessions,  to  India  and  South  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  the 
shores  of  the  Pacific,  each  of  which  call  for  annual  supplies.  One  firm, 
which  is  specially  alluded  to,  by  reason  of  its  greater  prominence,  viz., 
that  of  David  Landreth  &  Son,  has  Seed  Grounds,  (Bloomsdale,  near 
Bristol),  embracing  nearly  four  hundred  acres,  cultivated  in  drill  crops, 
requiring  a  large  force  of  hands,  twenty  head  of  working  stock,  and  a 
steam-engine  for  threshing  and  cleaning  seeds.  The  estate,  in  its 
entirety,  exceeds  any  similar  establishment  in  the  world.  Robert  Buist 
and  H.  A.  Dreer  are  also  extensive  growers  ;  and  we  proudly  claim  for 
Philadelphia  a  class  of  seed  merchants,  worthy  the  confidence  of 
all  who  may  have  occasion  to  purchase,  whether  for  personal  use  or 
purposes  of  trade. 

FRUITS.  The  market  of  Philadelphia  has  long  been  famous  for 
the  quality  and  abundance  of  its  Fruits — the  products  of  orchards  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city.  There  might  be  seen  in  high  perfection  the 


144  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

choicest  of  each  class,  affording  all  interested  the  opportunity  of  useful 
comparison,  and  test  of  relative  value;  whilst  annually  a  show  of 
Fruits,  held  by  the  Horticultural  Society,  the  accumulated  contribu- 
tions of  every  quarter,  facilitates  practical  comparison  with  similar  ar- 
ticles, drawn  from  distant  sources.  Hence,  it  may  readily  be  seen  that 
Philadelphia  nurserymen  have  ample  and  valuable  opportunities  to  de- 
termine the  kinds  and  varieties  most  worthy  of  propagation. 

For  some  years  past  the  culture  of  the  PEAR  has  attracted  more  than 
ordinary  interest ;  and  it  is  a  fact,  which  should  not  be  passed  unno- 
ticed, that  Philadelphia  and  its  neighborhood  have  spontaneously  pro- 
duced some  of  the  most  valuable  varieties  of  this  fruit :  seedling  trees 
not  surpassed  by  any,  either  of  native  or  foreign  origin.  Here  was  the 
nativity  of  the  Seckel,  of  world-wide  notoriety — of  the  Kingsessing,  the 
Lodge,  the  Tyson,  the  Ott,  the  Philadelphia,  the  Moyamensing,  the 
Petre,  and  some  others  of  high  value ;  and  here  is  the  residence  of  Dr. 
W.  D.  Brinkl6,  whose  indefatigable  labors  in  pomological  research  have 
gratified  his  fellow-citizens  and  benefited  the  world  at  large. 

We  might  extend  this  sketch  of  the  Agricultural  resources  of 
Philadelphia,  but  perhaps  enough  has  already  been  said  to  enable  you 
to  illustrate  the  idea  which  we  desire  to  express,  that  the  City  of  Broth- 
erly Love  stands  unrivaled  in  this  department  of  industry." 

In  addition  to  Garden  Seeds,  referred  to  above,  Philadelphia  is 
one  of  the  principal  distributing  points  for  Clover  and  other  field 
Seeds,  not  only  supplying  the  Southern  and  Western  States,  but 
sending  largely  to  New  England,  Great  Britain,  and  the  British 
Provinces.  Within  the  last  two  months,  46,180  bushels  of  Clover- 
seed  were  purchased,  and  recleaned  here  for  shipment,  of  which 
35,000  bushels  were  shipped  to  Liverpool  and  to  New  York,  3,000 
bushels  to  the  South,  and  the  balance  to  points  in  the  interior, 
and  to  the  West.  A  large  proportion  of  the  very  best  Seeds, 
and  noted  particularly  for  cleanness  and  quality,  is  grown  in  the 
counties  adjacent  to  Philadelphia.  The  annual  sales,  we  are 
assured,  frequently  amount  to  one  million  of  dollars.  One  firm, 
Messrs.  P.  B.  MINGLE  &  Co.,  through  whose  hands  an  immense 
quantity  of  Seeds  pass  annually,  are  known  probably  to  all  dealers. 

FERTILIZERS. 

The  manufacture  of  Artificial  Manures  has  become  quite 
an  extensive  business  within  a  few  years.  Those  made  in  Phil- 
adelphia, are  known  as  Super-phosphate  of  Lime,  Bone-dust, 


AGRICULTURAL   IMPLEMENTS,    SEEDS,    ETC.  145 

Plaster  of  Paris,  Pondrette,  Philadelphia  TJrate,  or  the  con- 
centrated and  fixed  nitrogen  of  urine,  and  Bone-black  waste. 
In  addition  to  these,  there  are  agencies  for  the  sale  of  the  Peruvian 
Guano,  for  a  fertilizer  known  as  Blood  Manure,  and  others.  The 
popularity  of  Peruvian  Guano  was  such,  that  in  one  year  the  sales 
of  the  agent  in  Philadelphia  amounted  to  22,000  tons,  at  $40  per 
ton,  or  $880,000  ;  but  the  advance  in  price  checked  the  demand,  and 
led  to  the  manufacture  of  a  great  variety  of  Artificial  Manures. 

The  substitute  for  Guano,  that  would  seem  to  be  in  the  greatest 
demand  with  the  farmers  of  Pennsylvania,  and  adjacent  States, 
judging  from  the  extent  of  the  manufacture,  is  the  SUPER-PHOS- 
PHATE OP  LIME.  It  is  said  to  possess  fertilizing  properties  more 
permanent  than  those  of  Guano.  Though  only  introduced  fully 
to  public  notice  in  1851,  its  manufacture  now  forms  an  item  of 
some  importance  in  the  general  aggregate  of  industry.  It  is 
a  somewhat  singular  fact,  that  when  first  introduced  it  commanded 
a  higher  price  per  ton  than  Peruvian  Guano. 

There  are  seven  manufacturers  of  Super-phospate  of  Lime  in 
Philadelphia,  who  are  well  represented  by  the  two  most  extensive 
— POTTS  &  KLETT,  and  MITCHELL  &  CROASDALE. 

The  manufactory  of  POTTS  &  KLETT  is  situated  near  Camden, 
but  their  product  is  sold  exclusively  by  a  house  in  this  city. 
This  firm  are  also  well-known  manufacturers  of  Chemicals.  The 
works  of  Messrs.  MITCHELL  &  CROASDALE  are  situated  in  the 
Nineteenth  Ward,  and  cover  nearly  an  acre  of  ground.  They 
produce  what  they  call  "  Highly  Improved  Super-phosphate  of 
Lime,"  being  a  compound  of  ground  bones,  Peruvian  guano,  and 
other  substances.  The  bones  are  first  boiled — the  fat  extracted, 
and  pure  bone,  free  from  vegetable  ivory,  which  is  merely  inert 
matter,  is  alone  manufactured  into  .fertilizers.  Additional  works 
are  now  being  erected  for  boiling  bone.  Their  products  are 
sold  by  CROASDALE,  PIERCE  &  Co.,  Delaware  Avenue,  above 
Arch  street. 

Another  preparation  of  bones,  known  as  Bone-dust,  is  made 
to  a  considerable  extent  by  the  manufacturers  of  Glue,  &c.,  and 
by  FRENCH,  RICHARDS  &  Co.  The  latter  firm,  and  the  Phoenix 
Mill  and  others,  make  Plaster  of  Paris  for  fertilizing  purposes. 

With  regard  to  the  relative  merits  of  the  respective  fertilizers, 
11* 


146  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

we  know  nothing,  and  can  only  refer  those  interested  to  Agri- 
cultural Chemists,  or  to  the  pamphlet  circulars  of  the  manufac- 
turers, in  which  the  properties  of  each  are  duly  set  forth.  We  can 
however  assure  purchasers,  that  they  can  probably  procure,  in 
Philadelphia,  any  fertilizer  of  value  that  they  may  desire,  on 
advantageous  terms. 

The  Statistics  of  the  Manufacture,  for  1857,  as  nearly  as  can 
be  ascertained,  are  as  follows  : 

Super-phosphate  of  Lime,  7,000  tons,  or  55,000  bbls.,  at  $45  per  ton,  $3)5,000 

Bone-dust,  2,000  tons,  at  $35  per  ton, 70,000 

Plaster  of  Paris,  3,000  tons,  at  $6  per  ton,          .....  18,000 

Other  Fertilizers  (see  above)  approximate,         .....  100,000 

$503,000 

The  annual  sales  of  Fertilizers  in  the  city,  including  Guano,  the 
refuse  of  tanneries,  morocco  manufactories,  sugar  refineries,  &c., 
will  probably  amount  to  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars.  It  is, 
however,  much  to  be  regretted,  that  the  sweepings  of  the  streets, 
and  human  ordure,  are  not  more  carefully  economized  to  aid  in  res- 
toring to  the  earth  the  fertility  of  which  it  is  robbed  by  the  neces- 
sary consumption  of  a  vast  city.  In  Paris,  a  contractor  pays  a 
large  sum  into  the  City  treasury,  for  the  privilege  of  removing  these 
fertilizers,  and  yet  derives  a  handsome  profit  from  the  contract. 

II. 

Alcohol,  Burning  Fluid,  and  Camphene. 

There  are  in  the  city  nine  establishments  engaged  in  distilling 
Alcohol  and  Camphene,  or  Pine  Oil,  several  of  whom  make  it  an 
exclusive  business.  Alcohol,  it  is  generally  known,  is  distilled 
from  Whisky — nine  gallons  of  the  latter  making  about  five  of  the 
former.  Alcohol,  for  burning-fluid,  is  95  per  cent.,  while  Drug- 
gists' Alcohol  is  but  84  per  cent.,  being  reduced  to  that  standard 
after  distillation.  Pine  Oil,  or  Camphene,  is  distilled  from  Spir- 
its of  Turpentine,  the  well-known  produce  of  the  pine  forests  of 
North  Carolina.  This  loses  in  distillation  about  one  gallon  in  a 
barrel,  or  two  and  a  half  per  cent.  Burning  Fluid  is  made  by  the 
admixture  of  one  gallon  of  Pine  Oil  to  four  gallons  of  Alcohol. 

The  Statistics  of  the  business,  for  the  year  ending  July  1,  1857, 
are  as  follows  : — 


ALCOHOL,    BURNING   FLUID,    AND   CAMPHENE.  147 

Raw  Material. 

Whisky,  2,077,000  gallons,  average  cost  31  c.,     -        -        -        $643,870 
Spirits  of  Turpentine,  380,000  gallons,  average  cost,  47  c.,  178,600 


$822,470 
Product. 

Alcohol,  gold  by  distillers,        .....        395,000  gallons. 
Pine  Oil,        "".-----         147,250       " 
Burning  Fluid,        ...        .;,,,„,.._        .      1,112,000       " 


1,654,250       « 
Of  the  value  of  $1,022,140,  averaging  nearly  62  cents  per  gallon. 

There  are  a  number  engaged  in  the  sale  of  Burning  Fluid,  who 
purchase  the  Alcohol  and  Pine  Oil  from  the  distillers,  and  these 
are  included  in  the  above  statement.  The  product  may  be  stated, 
in  another  form,  as  follows  : — 

Alcohol,     ^-^mtVsI 1,284,600  gallons. 

Pine  Oil  or  Camphene,  .....  369,650       " 


Total, 1,654,250       " 

This  does  not  embrace  the  Alcohol  produced  by  Powers  and 
Weightman,  and  other  Manufacturing  Chemists,  the  value  of 
which  is  included  in  the  Statistics  of  Chemicals ;  nor  that  made 
by  Rectifiers,  which  is  known  as  "  High  Wines." 

Burning  Fluid  was  first  known  as  Spirit  Gas,  and  the  discov- 
ery patented  by  Isaiah  Jennings,  in  1830,  who  soon  after  com- 
menced its  manufacture  in  Philadelphia,  but  subsequently  aban- 
doned it.  Mr.  Locke  made  it  under  the  Jennings  patent,  and 
was  the  only  manufacturer  in  Philadelphia  to  any  extent,  previous 
to  the  expiration  of  the  patent  in  1844.  The  merits  of  Burning 
Fluid,  as  a  material  for  light,  consist  in  its  brilliancy,  cheapness, 
and  far  greater  cleanliness  than  Oil ;  its  principal  demerit  is — 
liability  to  explosion.  Upon  this  important  point,  we  have  been 
favored  by  Messrs.  Yarnall  &  Ogden,  one  of  the  principal  firms 
engaged  in  the  manufacture,  with  the  following  observations, 
which  deserve  attention,  both  from  their  intrinsic  importance  and 
the  experience  of  those  who  make  them. 

"  It  has  been  ascertained,  that  nearly  all  the  accidents  attending  the 
nse  of  Burning  Fluid  originated,  either  by  attempting  to  fire  shavings, 
or  other  combustible  materials,  with  a  fluid  lamp,  mostly  glass ;  or, 


148  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

by  attempting  to  fill  the  lamp  while  burning.  This  is  by  far  the  most 
fruitful  source  of  accidents — but  thanks  to  the  inventive  genius  of  the 
American  people,  several  kinds  of  lamps  have  been  patented,  and  are 
now  in  use,  which  entirely  prevent  the  possibility  of  an  accident  occurring 
from  this  cause,  for  the  act  of  unscrewing  the  top  of  the  lamp,  puts 
out  the  flame  by  the  action  of  a  spiral  spring  which  forces  up  the  slides 
on  the  tubes,  and  thereby  extinguishes  the  flame,  and  entirely  prevents 
the  possibility  of  an  accident ;  and  to  make  it  still  more  complete,  the 
fluid  is  confined  in  a  gutta-percha  sack,  so  that  in  case  of  a  glass  lamp 
falling  and  breaking,  the  flame  cannot  possibly  ignite  the  fluid.  There 
are  still  other  improvements  in  these  lamps — one  is,  that  the  gas  and 
not  the  fluid  is  consumed,  thereby  making  a  light  equal  to  gas.  Per- 
sons using  the  fluid  would  do  well  to  introduce  these  lamps." 

The  firms  engaged  extensively  in  this  manufacture,  are  the  fol- 
lowing : — 

Z.  LOCKE  &  Co.,  1010  Market  street.  This  firm  are  said  to  be 
the  oldest  and  the  largest  distillers  of  Alcohol  in  the  city.  Mr. 
Locke,  the  senior  partner,  commenced  the  distillation  in  1829  ; 
and,  as  we  previously  stated,  was  for  many  years  the  only  one 
who  made  it  an  exclusive  business.  Besides  druggists',  and  95 
per  cent.  Alcohol,  they  make  Atwood's  Patent  Alcohol,  which, 
on  account  of  its  purity  and  freedom  from  any  disagreeable 
smell,  is  preferred  and  much  used  by  perfumers.  The  manufac- 
factory  of  Messrs.  Locke  &  Co.  is  an  important  one. 

P.  BUSHONQ  &  SONS,  Broad  street,  above  Race.  This  firm  are 
very  extensively  engaged  in  the  production  of  Alcohol,  and  the 
manufacture  of  Burning  Fluid.  They  combine  therewith  the 
distillation  of  Whisky  from  grain,  having  a  large  establishment 
therefor  at  Reading,  consuming  about  166,000  bushels  of  Corn 
annually,  and  84,000  bushels  of  Rye ;  and  thus  all  the  processes 
are  economized,  by  conducting  in  one  establishment  the  entire 
manufacture,  from  the  original  raw  material  to  the  finished  pro- 
duct. The  firm  employ  forty  persons,  ship  goods  eastward,  and 
their  fluid  has  attained  a  high  reputation  for  quality. 

YARNALL  &  OGDEN,  472  North  Third  street.  To  this  house 
we  previously  referred.  They  are  the  successors,  at  their  present 
location,  of  those  who  were  among  the  first  to  introduce  Burning 
Fluid  to  public  notice  ;  and  their  sales  now  extend  to  all  parts  of 
the  South,  as  well  as  to  Pennsylvania  and  States  adjacent. 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND   NEWSPAPERS.  149 

JOHN  W.  RYAN,  Prime  street,  below  Front,  has  been  iden- 
tified with  the  business  for  many  years,  and  enjoys  an  extensive 
city  trade. 

Messrs.  PORTETJS  &  PHILLIPS  ;  ROWLEY,  ASHBTJRNER  &  Co. ; 
WETHERELL  &  BROTHER,  manufacture  these  articles  largely,  in 
connection  with  other  products ;  and  WM.  KING,  and  J.  MC!N- 
TOSH,  also  make  to  some  extent. 

The  quality  of  Burning  Fluid  made  in  Philadelphia  is  very  su- 
perior, and  in  the  South  readily  commands  a  higher  price  than 
that  made  elsewhere.  It  is  shipped  eastward  to  Providence, 
Newport,  Hartford,  New  Haven,  Boston,  Bangor ;  and  southward 
to  all  the  Southern  States,  to  California  and  South  America. 

III. 
Books,  Magazines,  and  Newspapers. 

The  honor  of  having  established  the  first  printing-press  in 
America,  must  be  awarded  to  Cambridge,  Mass.  Philadelphia, 
however,  may  claim,  with  laudable  pride,  that  in  less  than  six 
weeks  after  the  city  was  founded,  a  printing  press  was  established, 
being  the  second  set  up  in  the  North  American  Colonies;*  and, 
moreover,  that  many  of  the  most  important  works  in  American 
literature  bear  the  imprint  of  her  publishing  houses.  We  shall 
attempt  to  trace  the  progress  of  Book  and  Periodical  Publishing, 
chronologically,  though  the  records  within  our  knowledge  are  so 
few,  and  the  pressure  of  engagements  so  distracting,  as  to  render 
the  task  a  difficult  one. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution,  and  for  some  years  afterward,  the  most 
notable  issues  of  the  Philadelphia  press, — in  fact,  the  American 
press, — came  within  Webster's  definition  of  a  pamphlet,  that  is,  a 
small  book,  consisting  of  a  sheet  of  paper.  The  first  book  published 
in  this  country,  of  which  we  have  any  knowledge,  was  "  The  Bay 
Psalm  Book,"  issued  from  the  Cambridge  press,  in  1640,  and  this 
was  probably  the  most  successful  of  any.  Seventy  editions  were  re- 
published  in  England  and  Scotland.  The  first  publication  in  book 
or  pamphlet  form  issued  from  the  Philadelphia  press  was  a  sheet 
Almanac,  for  the  year  1687,  in  twelve  compartments  :  the  year  be- 
ginning with  March,  and  ending  with  February,  as  was  usual  before 

•  Thomas's  History  of  Printing. 


150  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

the  eighteenth  century.  A  copy  of  this  early  specimen  of  Amer- 
ican typography,  bearing  the  imprint  of  "Wm.  Bradford,  Printer," 
is  preserved  in  the  Philadelphia  Library.  His  second  work  was  a 
quarto  pamphlet,  on  the  subject  of  "  The  New  England  Churches, 
by  G.  Keith,"  dated  in  1689.  The  name  of  Bradford  continued  to 
be  identified  with  the  history  of  printing  in  Philadelphia  until  a  very 
recent  period. 

In  1699,  the  press  established  by  Bradford  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Reynier  Jansen,  evidently  a  Dutchman  by  name,  who 
managed  it  until  the  year  1712.  There  are  now  in  the  Philadel- 
phia Library  two  very  curious  pamphlets,  bearing  his  imprint, 
and  so  rare  that  they  are  probably  the  only  copies  extant.  The 
first  was  published  in  1700,  and  is  entitled,  "  Satan's  Harbinger 
Encountered  :  his  False  News  of  a  Trumpet  Detected  :  his  Crooked 
Ways  in  the  Wilderness  laid  open  to  the  view  of  the  impartial 
and  judicious.  Being  something  by  way  of  Answer  to  Daniel 
Leeds,  his  book,  entitled,  '  News  of  a  Trumpet  Sounding  in  the 
Wilderness,'  &c.,  C.  P.,  (Caleb  Pusey).  Printed  at  Philadelphia, 
by  Keynier  Jansen,  1100."  The  second  bears  date  1705,  and  is  en- 
titled, "  The  Bomb  Searched  and  Found  Stuffed  with  False  Ingre- 
dients. Being  a  just  confutation  of  an  abusive  printed  half  sheet 
called  '  BOMB,'  originally  published  against  the  Quakers  by 
Francis  Bugg ;  bat  espoused  and  exposed,  and  offered  to  be 
proved  by  John  Talbot.  Printed  at  Philadelphia,  by  Keynier 
Jansen,  1705." 

The  second  printing-oflice  in  Philadelphia  was  established  by 
S.  Keimer,  in  1723.  The  first  publication,  bearing  his  imprint, 
of  which  we  have  any  knowledge,  is  a  very  curious  and  rare  one, 
entitled  "  The  Craftsman  :  a  Sermon  composed  by  the  late  Daniel 
Burgess,  and  intended  to  be  preached  by  him  in  the  High  Times, 
(sic.,)  but  prevented  by  the  burning  of  his  Meeting-house.  Phil- 
adelphia: Printed  by  S.  Keimer,  (Circa),  1725." 

The  advertising  columns  of  the  journals,  for  the  succeeding 
quarter  of  a  century,  from  1725  to  1750,  contain  announcements 
of  a  number  of  curious  books  and  pamphlets,  of  which  we  append 
a  list  below.* 

*  THOMPSON  WESTCOTT,  Esq.,  the  author  of  the  "Life  of  John  Fitch,"  re- 
cently m»de  an  examination  of  the  Journals,  from  1728  to  1750,  and  noted 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND    NEWSPAPERS.  151 

In  1735,  Christopher  Sower  published  a  Quarterly  Journal,  in 
German,  which  was  the  first  work  of  the  kind  in  a  foreign  lan- 
guage published  in  the  Colony.  The  same  year  he  published  a 
Newspaper,  the  first  German  Almanac,  "  Extracts  from  the  Laws 
of  the  Province,  by  William  Penn,"  and  several  other  works, 
the  announcements,  in  the  advertising  columns,  of  the  principal  publications. 
The  list  was  presented  to  the  Philadelphia  Library,  and  the  courteous  Li- 
brarian of  that  Institution  placed  the  same  at  my  disposal.  The  following 
are  the  most  important. 

American  Books  and  Pamphlets  advertised  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette. 

1728.  Dec.  24. — God's  Mercy  surmounting  Man's  Cruelty,  exemplified 
in  the  Captivity  and  Redemption  of  Elizabeth  Hanson,  wife  of  John  Hanson, 
of  Knoxmarsh,  at  Keacheachy,  in  Dover  Township,  who  was  taken  captive 
with  her  children  and  maid-servants  by  the  Indians  in    New  England,  in 
1725,  etc.     To  be  sold  by  Samuel  Keimer,  in  Philadelphia,  and  by  Heurtin, 
Goldsmith,  in  N.  Y. 

1729.  Nov.  30. — A  Short  Discourse,  proving  that  the  Jewish,  or  Seventh- 
day  Sabbath,  is  abrogated  or  repealed.     By  John  Meredith.     Printed  and 
sold  by  the  printers  hereof,  B.  Franklin  and  H.  Meredith.     Price  sixpence. 

1730.  Feb.  19. — The  Spirit's  Teaching  Man's  Sure  Guide :  Briefly  asserted 
and  recommended  to  the  sober  perusal  of  all  Christian  believers.    By  Charles 
Woolverton,  Senr.     The  second  edition.     Franklin  and  Meredith,  Printers. 

1730.  Feb.  3. — An  Elegy  on  the  Death  of  that  Ancient,  Renowned  and 
Useful  Matron  and  Midwife,  Mrs.  Mary  Broadwell,  who  rested  from  her  la- 
bors, Jan.  2,  1730,  aged  a  hundred  years  and  one  day.  Sold  by  David 
Harry,  printer,  in  Philadelphia. 

1 730.  Dec.  29. — Ralph  Sandiford,  being  bound  for  England,  hath  printed  a 
second  impression  of  his  Negroe  Treatise,  to  be  distributed  gratis;  or  sold  to 
those  who  would  rather  pay,  at  \'2d.  each. 

1731.  March  4. — Some  Considerations  Relating  to  the  Present  State  of 
the  Christian  Religion,  etc.     By  Alex.  Arscot.     Franklin  &  Meredith,  Print- 
ers. 

1732.  Oct.  5. — The  Minister  of  Christ  and  his  Flock:  a  Sermon  by  David 
Evans,  preached  at  Abingdon,  Pa.,  Dec.  30,  1731.     B.  Franklin,  Printer. 

1734.  May  23. — The  Constitution  of  the  Free-Masons:  containing  the 
history,  changes,  etc.  Reprinted  by  B.  Franklin,  in  the  year  of  Masonry, 
5734.  (Franklin  Gazette.)  2*.  Gd.  stitched ;  4s.  bound. 

1737.  Sept.  22. — A  Treaty  of   Friendship   held  with  the  Six    Nations, 
Philadelphia,  Sept.  and  Oct.,  1736.     Franklin,  Printer.     Price  Sd. 

1738.  Aug.  17  — Benjamin  Lay's  Book  against  Slave  Keeping.     Printed 
by  himself.     2*.  Qd.  each. 

1739.  MaylQ. — The  Art  of  Preaching,  an  imitation  of  Horace's  Art  of 
Poetry.     Franklin,  Printer.     6d. 


152  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

At  that  time  all  the  type  used  in  the  Colonies  was  brought  from 
Europe,  and  finding  this  very  inconvenient,  he  commenced  a  Type 
Foundry  and  Manufactory  of  Printing  Ink.  This  was  the  first  Type 
Foundry  in  the  country,  and  the  celebrated  house  of  L.  Johnson 
&  Co.,  Philadelphia,  claim,  through  Binney  &  Ronaldson,  to  be 

July  26. — The  History  of  Joseph,  a  Poem  by  a  female  hand.  Franklin, 
Printer.  1». 

1740.  May  22. — Whitfield's  Sermons,  2  vols.  :  one,  Sermons  ;  one,  Jour- 
nals.    Franklin,  Printer. 

A  Letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Whitfield  to  the  Religious  Societies  lately  formed 
in  England  aud  Wales,  etc. 

A  Letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitfield  to  a  Friend  in  London,  showing  the 
fundamental  errors  of  the  book  entitled  "The  Whole  Duty  of  Man." 

The  Danger  of  an  Unconverted  Ministry,  considered  by  Gilbert  Tennant, 
etc.  Franklin,  Printer.  6d. 

July  3. — The  Character,  Preaching,  etc.,  of  the  Rev.  George  Whitfield, 
impartially  represented  and  supported  in  a  Sermon  preached  at  Charleston. 
S.  C.  By  J.  Smith,  V.  D.  M.  Franklin,  Printer.  4d. 

A  New  and  Complete  Guide  to  the  English  Tongue,  etc.,  collected  by  an 
ingenious  hand,  for  the  use  of  Schools.  Franklin,  Printer.  2*. 

1741.  Jan.  15. — Free  Grace,  a  Sermon  by  Rev.  John  Wesley.    Franklin, 
Printer.     6d. 

22. — Free  Grace  Indeed !  a  Letter  to  Rev.  John  Wesley.     Franklin.     6rf. 
Feb.  19. — Free  Grace  in  Truth,  by  Rev.  John  Dylander,  minister  Swedish 
church,  Wecaco.     Franklin.     ">J. 

1742.  Dec.  21. — A  Short  Narrative  of  the  Extraordinary  Work  of  God 
at  Camberslang,  in  Scotland.     Wm.  Bradford,  Printer. 

1743.  March  3. — The  Interest  of  New  Jersey  with  regard  to  Trade  and 
Navigation,  by  laying  duties.     Bradford,  Printer. 

12. — Every  Man's  Right  to  Live :  a  Sermon  by  Rev.  Lewis  of  Thurenstein, 
Monravift.  Franklin. 

1744.  Jan. — Oglethorpe's  Expedition.     Report  to  Assembly  of  South  Ca- 
rolina into  the  causes  of  its  failure.     2s.  Qd. 

April. — A  Journal  of  Proceedings  in  the  Conspiracy  to  Burn  New  York, 
by  white  men  and  some  negroes,  etc.,  in  1742.  By  the  Recorder  of  the 
City  of  New  York. 

Sept.— A  Grand  Treaty  held  at  Lancaster,  etc.     Franklin.     ISd. 

Oct. — Remarks  upon  Mr.  Geo.  Whitfield,  proving  him  a  man  under  Delu- 
sion. By  George  Gillespie.  Philad.,  Printed  for  the  Author,  and  sold  at 
the  Harp  &  Crown,  in  3d  street,  opposite  the  Workhouse. 

Nov. — An  Account  of  the  newly  invented  Pennsylvania  Fire-places,  etc, 
with  a  copperplate,  etc.  Price  la. 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND    NEWSPAPERS.  153 

the  legitimate  successors  of  Christopher  Sower,  in  the  business. 
In  1743,  he  printed  a  quarto  edition  of  the  German  Bible,  Luther's 
translation,  having  1272  pp.  This  was  the  largest  work  which  had 
then  been  issued  from  any  press  in  the  Colony,  and  was  not 
equaled  for  many  years  after.  Copies  of  this  Bible  were  sold, 
bound,  at  fourteen  shillings,  and  are  now  highly  prized  by  book 
collectors.  About  1744  he  resigned  his  press  to  his  son,  and 
died  about  1760.  He  was  a  man  of  large  influence  among  his 
countrymen,  and  frequently  acted  as  their  representative  in  their 
intercourse  with  Government. 

His  son,  also  named  Christopher  Sower,  continued  the  business 
of  his  father  on  an  enlarged  scale,  printing  many  valuable  Books, 
and  a  Weekly  Newspaper.  In  1762,  he  printed  a  second  edition 
of  the  German  quarto  Bible  of  two  thousand  copies;  and  in  1776, 
completed  a  third  edition  of  three  thousand  copies.  He  had  by 

1745.  An  Essay  on  the  West  Indian  Dry  Gripes.     By  Dr.  Cadwalader. 
Franklin. 

The  Art  of  Preserving  Health.  By  Dr.  Armstrong.  Reprint.  Frank- 
lin. 2«. 

Sept. — Mr.  Prince's  Sermon  on  the  General  Thanksgiving  occasioned  by 
the  taking  of  Cape  Breton  ;  with  a  Particular  Account  of  the  Expedition, 
etc.  Price  la. 

1746.  July. — The  New  Manual  Exercise,  by  Gen'l  Blakenly,  and  the  Evo- 
lutions of  the  Foot,  by  Gen'l  Bland.     Franklin,  Printer.     6rf. 

Reflections  on  Courtship  and  Marriage.     Franklin.     1*.  6<f. 

1748.  Oct. — The  Congress  between  the  Beasts,  under  the  mediation  of 
the  Goat,  for  negotiating  a   Peace  between  the   Fox,   the  Ass,  wearing  a 
lion's  skin,  the  Horse,  the  Tigress,  and  other  animals  at  war.     A  farce  in 
two   acts.     Now  in  rehearsal   at  a  new  and  grand  Theatre    in    Germany. 
Written  originally  in  High  Dutch,  by  the  Baron  Huffumbourghausen,  and 
translated  by  J.  J.  H.  D.  G.  R.,  Esq.,  veluti  in  speculo.    Second  edition.    To 
be  sold  by  Gotthard  Ambruster,  at  the  German  Printing-office,  in  Arch  st. 
2«.  6<f. 

1749.  Proposals  for  publishing  a  Map  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and 
New  York,  and  the  lower  counties,  by  Lewis  Evans.    Price,  two  Pieces-of-8 
each. 

Aug. — A  Particular  Relation  of  the  dreadful  Earthquake,  etc.,  at  Lima 
and  Callao,  in  Peru.  Translated  from  the  original  Spanish.  Price  9rf. 

1750.  June  7. — A  Short  Treatise  on  the  Visible  Kingdom  of  Christ.     By 
Thomas  James.     Franklin  &  Hall.     Price  6rf. 

Letters  from  the  Dead  to  the  Living,  by  Plularetes.    Franklin  &  Hall.   9<i 
12 


154  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

far  the  most  extensive  Book  manufactory,  then,  and  for  many 
years  afterward,  in  the  country.  It  employed  several  binderies, 
a  paper-mill,  an  ink  manufactory,  and  a  foundry  for  German  and 
English  types.  He  was  well  educated  by  his  father — was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  German  Baptist  Society;  and  as  a  man  of  integ- 
rity was  deservedly  esteemed.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age,  in 
1784.  He  left  several  children,  among  whom  Christopher,  (third), 
David,  and  Samuel,  were  practical  printers  and  publishers.  The 
name  continues  to  be  very  popularly  represented  in  the  trade,  by 
his  descendant,  Mr.  Charles  G.  Sower,  senior  partner  of  the  firm 
of  Sower,  Barnes  &  Co. 

In  1782,  Robert  Aitken  published,  it  is  believed,  the  first 
American  Bible  in  the  English  language.  His  edition  was  re- 
commended to  public  patronage  by  Congress.  It  was  projected 
during  the  war;  but  with  peace,  importation  of  books  began, 
and  Aitken  "lost  more  than  three  thousand  pounds  in  specie." 
But  his  lasting  memorial  is,  that  he  printed  the  first  American 
edition  of  the  English  Bible.  "  The  very  paper,"  said  the  Phil- 
adelphia Freeman's  Journal  of  that  time,  "  that  has  received  the 
impression  of  these  sacred  books,  was  manufactured  in  Pennsylva- 
nia; the  whole  work  is  therefore  purely  American,  and  has  risen, 
like  the  fabled  Phoenix,  from  the  ashes  of  that  pile  in  which  our 
enemies  supposed  they  had  consumed  the  liberties  of  America." 

But  Book  Publishing  in  the  United  States,  even  as  late  as  1786, 
was  yet  in  its  embryo  state.  It  is  recorded,  that  in  that  year 
four  Booksellers  held  a  consultation  as  to  the  policy  of  publishing 
an  edition  of  the  New  Testament,  deeming  the  matter  a  work  of 
great  risk,  requiring  much  consultation  previously  to  the  determi- 
nation of  the  measure  ;  but  the  change  in  the  state  of  public  affairs 
soon  infused  life  and  vigor  into  the  business.  Less  than  four  years 
afterward  one  of  the  prudent  gentlemen,  above  referred  to,  ven- 
tured upon  the  publication  of  an  Encyclopedia,  in  eighteen 
quarto  volumes.  When  the  first  half  volume  was  published,  in 
1790,  he  had  but  two  hundred  and  forty-six  subscribers,  and 
could  only  procure  two  or  three  engravers.  One  thousand  copies 
of  the  first  volume  were  printed  ;  two  thousand  of  the  second ; 
and  when  he  had  completed  the  eighth,  the  subscription  extended 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND   NEWSPAPERS.  155 

so  far  as  to  render  it  necessary  to  reprint  the  first.  He  then 
found  difficulty  in  procuring  printers  for  the  work.* 

In  1792,  Ebenezer  Hazard  published  a  quarto  volume  of 
"Historical  Collections,"  intended  as  materials  for  a  History  oi 
the  United  States,  and  in  1794  another  volume.  These  collec- 
tions were  made  under  the  patronage  of  Congress. 

In  the  succeeding  year,  William  Cobbett,  then  a  refugee  in 
Philadelphia,  commenced  his  political  career  by  writing,  at  the 
solicitation  of  some  friends  of  Washington's  administration,  a 
pamphlet,  for  the  purpose  of  vindicating  Jay's  Treaty  ;  and 
which  is  said  to  have  had  considerable  influence  in  quieting  the 
public  raind.  In  the  same  year  he  issued  his  "Tuteur  Anglais," 
Thomas  Bradford,  Publisher. 

In  1804,  Mathew  Carey  set  up  the  Bible  in  quarto  form,  and 
this  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  Bible,  kept  standing  in  type, 
of  that  size  in  the  world — over  200,000  impressions  were  pub- 
lished. But  the  state  and  condition  of  the  Book  Publishing  bu- 
siness in  Philadelphia,  in  the  early  portion  of  the  present  century, 
were  so  well  sketched  by  Henry  C.  Carey,  Esq.,  the  distinguished 
political  economist,  and  surviving  representative  of  the  house  of 
Mathew  Carey  &  Son,  at  a  Festival  given  May  24th,  1854,  in 
honor  of  Mr.  Abraham  Hart,  on  his  retirement  from  the  Book- 
selling business,  that  we  cannot  do  better  than  submit  a  lengthy 
extract  from  his  speech  on  that  occasion. 

"For  myself,  Mr.  President,  I  am  a  sort  of  '  remainder' of  an  edi- 
tion, a  representative  of  a  by-gone  race  of  booksellers,  as  our  friend 
Hart  is  of  the  present  race.  There  are  several  among  our  friends  here 
assembled  disposed  to  insist  that  they  carry  on  their  shoulders  more 
years  than  I  do,  and  they  are  a  property,  the  possession  of  which  I  am 
not  disposed  to  dispute  with  them ;  but  there  is  none  of  them  whose 
connection  with  the  trade  dates  back  to  as  early  a  period  as  mine.  I 
was,  Mr.  President,  at  the  first  trade  dinner  ever  given  in  this  country, 
and  of  all  who  sat  at  that  table,  there  is,  I  believe,  no  one  now  living 
but  myself.  It  was  somewhat  more  than  half  a  century  since.  Mr.  John 
Conrad,  father  of  our  friend  Judge  Conrad,  filled  on  that  occasion  a 
distinguished  place;  but  he  has  recently  passed  away,  and  has  left  me, 
as  I  think,  alone.  The  occasion  of  that  dinner  was  the  holding  of  the 
1  Literary  Fair,'  that  was  attempted  in  imitation  of  the  great  Leipsic 

*  "  Hopkinson's  Oration  before  the  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,"  1810 


156  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Fair,  and  intended  to  be  held  alternately  in  this  city  and  New  York. 
One  was  held  in  each  city.  My  father  took  me  with  him  to  the  New 
York  one ;  and  although  only  eight  years  of  age,  I  was  even  then  a 
bookseller,  perfectly  familiar  with  the  contents  of  our  establishment. 
They  called  me  'the  bookseller  in  miniature,'  and  being  such,  I  was  the 
proper  representative  of  the  trade  of  the  day,  for  it  was  a  miniature 
one,  and  the  gentlemen  engaged  in  it  made  miniature  fortunes,  com- 
pared with  those  that,  I  am  happy  to  learn,  are  accumulated  by  the 
men  of  our  day.  We  then  depended  on  Great  Britain  for  Latin  and 
Greek,  English,  French,  and  Spanish  dictionaries,  and  to  a  considerable 
extent,  even  for  grammars.  The  classics,  Caesar,  Horace,  Virgil,  and 
Homer,  were  all  imported,  as  was  the  case  with  llollin,  Plutarch,  Sully, 
and  a  host  of  other  common  books.  Prices  were  high,  and  sales  were 
small.  School  dictionaries  of  the  size  of  Walker's  abridgment,  which 
now  sell,  as  I  am  told,  for  three  dollars  a  dozen,  then  sold  for  more 
than  half  that  price  per  copy.  Schools  were  few  in  number,  and  there 
was  small  demand  for  books. 

"  Two  years  later,  my  father  carried  into  effect  his  project  of  getting 
up  the  Bible  in  quarto,  with  movable  type,  and  it  was  the  first  in  the 
world,  as  I  have  always  understood.  It  was  a  gigantic  operation  ;  first 
cost,  fifteen  thousand  dollars — a  very  large  sum  in  that  day — and  it  was 
one  that  he  never  could  have  effected  without  the  aid  of  Mr.  James 
Ronaldson,  one  of  the  worthiest  men  that  this  city  has  ever  possessed. 
He  was  then  the  sole  type-founder  for  the  Union,  and  supplied  the 
letter  required  for  all  the  newspapers,  magazines,  and  books,  that  were 
printed  from  Maine  to  Georgia.  All  of  it  came  from  that  small  foun- 
dry in  South  street  above  Ninth,  a  fact  from  which,  alone,  you  might 
judge  of  the  diminutive  size  of  the  publishing  trade  of  that  period. 

"  Small  as  was  the  trade  in  foreign  books  republished,  that  in  do- 
mestic ones  was  still  far  less.  There  was  then,  in  fact,  no  domestic  lite- 
rature. It  was  half  a  dozen  years  later  that  Irving,  Paulding,  and 
Verplanck,  made  their  first  appearance  on  the  stage  as  joint  authors 
of  the  little  periodical  newspaper,  well  known  as  '  Salmagundi.'  Some 
years  still  later,  Bradford  and  Inskeep  were  thought  to  have  displayed 
remarkable  liberality  in  giving  to  a  young  lady  of  this  city  a  hundred 
dollars  for  the  copyright  of  a  very  clever  novel.  Fanny  Fern  would 
now  look  upon  such  a  sum  with  no  slight  disdain,  were  it  offered  in  ex- 
change even  for  a  contribution  of  a  dozen  pages  ;  and  yet  the  liberality 
manifested  in  the  case  of  the  Philadelphia  novelist  was  probably  greater 
than  that  now  exhibited  by  the  extensive  house  in  Auburn.  Amer- 
ican books  could  not  then  be  sold.  It  was  almost  sufficient  to  insure 
the  condemnation  of  a  book  to  have  it  known  that  it  was  of  domestic 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,   AND   NEWSPAPERS.  157 

origin.  My  friend,  Major  Barker,  a  man  of  excellent  literary  ability, 
dramatized  Marinion  about  the  time  to  which  I  have  referred  ;  but  the 
manager,  Mr.  Stephen  Price,  did  not  venture  to  produce  it  as  an  Amer- 
ican work.  It  was  carefully  packed  up  as  coming  from  England,  with 
imitations  of  the  English  post-marks,  and  was  produced  as  the  work 
of  an  English  author.  As  such  it  succeeded  ;  but  the  real  authorship 
having  soon  leaked  out,  the  public  thenceforward  ceased  to  find  in  it 
the  merit  that  before  had  been  so  clearly  visible.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, it  was  scarcely  extraordinary  that  an  English  writer  should 
find  reason  for  asking  the  question — '  Who  reads  an  American  Book  ?' 
'•  We  are  surrounded  by  evidences  of  progress,  but  among  the  chap- 
tors  which  record  its  history,  there  is  none  more  remarkable  than  the 
literary  one.  That  chapter  records  great  changes  in  the  amount  of 
trade,  but  there  are  other  changes  that  are  perhaps  equally  remarkable. 
Even  so  recently  as  forty  years  since,  the  trade  looked  chiefly  to  the 
South  for  a  market  for  their  books.  Messrs.  Conrad  &  Co.  had 
branches  in  Baltimore,  Alexandria,  Fredericksburg,  Richmond,  Peters- 
burg, and  Norfolk,  but  none  in  the  West.  Bradford  and  Inskeep  had 
one  in  Charleston.  Benjamin  Warner,  one  of  the  most  high-minded 
and  excellent  men  ever  connected  with  the  trade  in  this  city,  had  one 
in  Richmond,  and  another  in  Clarleston  ;  and  it  was  in  this  latter  place 
that  our  friend,  Mr.  John  Grigg,  first  exhibited  the  ability  by  which  he 
has  been  since  distinguished.  My  father  had  a  branch  in  Baltimore, 
and  one  in  Richmond.  The  tendency  was  then  to  look  almost  alto- 
gether South,  while  it  is  now  almost  altogether  West.  Chicago,  a 
city  that  scarcely  existed  ten  years  since,  now  absorbs,  I  imagine,  more 
books  than  Norfolk,  Charleston,  and  Savannah  united.  The  conse- 
quences of  this  have  been  unfavorable  to  the  printers  and  publishers  of 
Philadelphia,  separated,  as  she  has  been  from  the  great  West  by  a 
range  of  mountains  that  New  York  could  turn,  while  she  was  bound 
to  scale  them.  The  Erie  Canal  gave  to  New  York  and  New  England 
a  communication  with  a  great  and  growing  market,  while  that  on  which 
this  city  has  chiefly  relied  became  a  declining  one ;  and  the  consequence 
has  been  that  the  trade  has  scarcely  kept  pace  with  that  of  other  cities, 
in  its  growth.  It  has,  nevertheless,  increased  greatly.  You  do  not 
publish  as  many  novels  as  New  York,  but  you  present  more  medical 
books  than  all  the  rest  of  the  Union.  You  have  here,  perhaps,  the 
largest  distributing  house  in  the  world.  In  conversation  a  short  time 
since  with  one  of  its  members,  I  learned  that  they  employed  nearly 
eighty  clerks ;  a  fact  that  astonished  me,  as  I  knew  how  large  a  business 
we  had  done  with  half  a  dozen.  My  snrprise,  however,  disappeared 
when  he  told  me  that  for  many  weeks  they  had  sent  out  an  averajre  of 
12* 


158  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

more  than  ten  tons  per  day,  or  the  equivalent  of  a  thousand  reams  of 
printing  paper  of  the  size  commonly  used  when  I  was  in  business. 
Were  the  books  they  fill  all  printed  ones,  there  would  be  no  hesitation 
in  asserting  that  they  distributed  more  literature  than  any  house  in  the 
world.  It  has  recently  been  made  a  matter  of  boast  that  Chambers  & 
Co.,  of  Edinburgh,  had  sent  out  ten  tons  in  a  fortnight ;  but  we  have 
here  as  many  tons  per  day  in  each  day  of  many  weeks." 

Within  the  period  referred  to  by  Mr.  Carey,  a  large  number 
of  very  important  works  were  issued.  In  fact,  the  first  quarter 
of  the  present  century  may  be  entitled  the  palmy  era  of  booksell- 
ing in  Philadelphia.  The  works  published  embraced  :  Dobson's 
Encyclopaedia,  21  vols.,  quarto ;  Rees'  Cyclopaedia,  46  volumes, 
quarto;  Edinburgh  Encyclopaedia,  18  vols.,  quarto ;  Nicholson's 
Encyclopaedia,  12  vols.,  octavo;  Wilson's  Ornithology,  9  vols., 
imperial  quarto ;  Barlow's  Columbiad;  Pinkerton's  Atlas,  1vol., 
folio,  price  $100  per  copy  ;  Johnson's  Dictionary,  2  vols.,  quarto, 
published  by  Moses  Thomas ;  Gibbon's  Rome,  8  vols.,  octavo ; 
Hume  and  Smollett's  and  Bissot's  England,  15  vols.,  octavo  ;  Ma- 
vor's  Voyages  and  Travels,  24  vols.,  12mo. ;  British  Classics 
("  Spectator,"  "  Rambler,"  &c.)  39  vols.,  12mo.  For  the  copyright 
of  one  book,  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  the  sum  of  $60,000 
was  paid  in  Philadelphia.  Truly,  there  were  giants  in  those  days. 

In  1824,  the  era  of  Trade  Sales  was  inaugurated  in  Phila- 
delphia, Moses  Thomas,  above  referred  to,  being  the  auctioneer. 
The  catalogue  of  the  first  sale,  we  believe,  is  still  in  the  pos- 
session of  that  gentleman,  who,  though  past  threescore  and 
ten,  performs  more  mental  and  bodily  labor  than  many  men  twenty 
years  his  junior.  The  suggestion  and  arrangement  of  the  plan 
are  credited  to  Mr.  Henry  C.  Carey,  and  its  adoption  was  certainly 
attended  by  the  most  happy  results  to  the  Book  trade.  Prior 
to  the  establishment  of  Auction  Sales  for  books,  publishers  were 
not  permitted  honorably  to  vary  from  the  announced  prices  of 
the  publication  ;  and  their  profits  were  consequently  lessened  ma- 
terially by  the  accumulation  of  unsaleable  stock,  for  the  disposal  of 
which  there  was  no  practicable  means.  By  the  establishment  of 
Trade  Sales,  however,  this  difficulty  was  overcome  ;  and  a  pub- 
lisher who  was  so  unfortunate  as  not  to  be  able  to  obtain  the  nom- 
inal price  for  his  book,  could  sell  it  to  the  highest  bidder  in  opt'n 
market.  So  popular  have  Trade  Sales  become,  that  now  over 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND   NEWSPAPERS.  J59 

$600,000  worth  of  books  are  annually  disposed  of  every  spring  and 
autumn  in"  Philadelphia  and  New  York,  the  sales  being  conducted 
tinder  the  supervision  of  a  committee  of  leading  publishers. 

Within  the  last  few  years,  the  demand  for  minute  and  exact  in- 
formation in  every  department  of  learning  has  become  so  pressing, 
that  the  subdivisions  which  may  be  remarked  in  mechanical  pur- 
suits are  also  noticeable  with  respect  to  the  publication  of  books. 
Publishers  are  no  longer  divided  merely  into  book,  newspaper, 
and  magazine  publishers,  as  formerly ;  but  each  of  the  various 
classes,  Medical,  Law,  Theological,  School,  Illustrated,  German, 
and  miscellaneous  books,  has  its  representatives  among  the  pub- 
lishing houses.  We  shall  instance  the  more  prominent  in  each 
department. 

1.  MEDICAL  BOOK&  We  are  informed  that  nine-tenths  of  the 
Medical  Books  issued  in  the  United  States  are  printed  and  pub- 
lished in  Philadelphia.  There  are  three  firms  extensively  en- 
gaged in  this  branch,  viz.,  BLANCHARD  &  LEA,  J.  B.  LIPPIN- 
COTT  &  Co.,  and  LINDSAY  &  BLAKISTON;  while  others  publish 
Medical  Books  to  some  extent.  The  first-named  of  these  houses 
make  this  department  of  the  general  trade  their  specialty,  and 
their  catalogue  contains  a  more  important  list  of  valuable  Medi- 
cal books  than  probably  any  in  the  world.  The  list  of  their  own 
publications  extends  to  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  differ- 
ent works,  or  over  two  hundred  different  volumes,  besides  several 
Medical  journals  ;  one  of  which,  "  The  American  Journal  of  Med- 
ical Science,"  edited  by  Dr.  Hayes,  is  among  the  oldest  period- 
icals of  the  country.  Their  cash  capital  invested  in  this  business 
is  not  far  short  of  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars.  Messrs.  LIP- 
PINCOTT  &  Co.  publish  a  number  of  important  Medical  books,  as 
Wood  &  Bat-he's  Dispensatory,  Wood's  Practice  of  Medicine, 
Wood's  Materia  Medica,  Smith's  Operative  Surgery,  and  many 
others ;  and  a  very  valuable  periodical,  entitled  "  The  North 
American  Medico-Chirurgical  Review."  Their  general  opera- 
tions we  shall  notice  subsequently.  Messrs.  LINDSAY  &  BLAK- 
ISTON publish  a  number  of  text  books  in  Medical  Science,  and 
Rankin's  Abstract,  which  has  a  large  circulation.  The  Homoeo- 
pathic  branch  has  its  representative  among  the  publishers  in  Mr. 
RADDE.  The  contributions  which  Philadelphia  has  made  to 


100  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

American  Medical  Literature,  are  scarcely  less  important  than 
her  Medical  Schools. 

2.  LAW  BOOKS.  There  are  also  three  houses  that  make  the 
publication  of  Law  Books  their  specialty  :  T.  &  J.  W.  JOHNSON, 
KAY  &  BROTHER,  and  H.  P.  &  R.  H.  SMALL.  The  first-named  pub- 
lish the  Law  Library,  a  reprint  of  English  Elementary  works  of 
standard  value,  now  numbering  96  volumes ;  and  the  English 
Common  Law  and  Exchequer  Reports,  a  reprint  of  the  decisions 
of  the  Law  Courts  of  England  since  1813,  now  numbering  125  vols., 
Svo.,  and  believed  to  be  the  largest  uniform  series  issued  by  any 
law  publishers  in  the  world.  Their  list,  which  embraces  works  on 
almost  every  department  of  law,  contains  nearly  500  volumes. 
KAY  &  BROTHER  publish  the  following  valuable  works  :  "  Bright- 
ly's  Analytical  Digest  of  the  Laws  of  the  United  States,"  1  vol., 
Svo.  ;  "  Whar'ton's  American  Criminal  Law,"  1  vol.,  Svo. ; 
"Wharton's  Precedents  of  Indictments":  these  works  compris- 
ing the  science  and  the  practice  of  the  Criminal  Law  of  the  State 
and  Federal  Courts  of  the  United  States  ;  "  Wharton  &  Stille's 
Medical  Jurisprudence,"  "Wharton  on  the  American  Law  of  Homi- 
cide," "Morris  on  Replevin,"  "Troubat  on  Limited  Partnership," 
1  vol.  Svo.,  "Pennsylvania  State  Reports,"  66  vols.,  and  others. 
H.  P.  &  R.  H.  SMALL  publish  Harrison's  Digest,  Addison  on 
Contracts,  Selwyn's  Nisi  Prius,  Williams  on  Executors,  Saunders 
on  Pleading  and  Evidence,  and  many  other  standard  works  with 
the  legal  profession.  The  business  of  Law  Book  publishing, 
however,  is  not  monopolized  by  these  houses.  Messrs.  CHILDS  & 
PETERSON,  for  instance,  publish  Bouvier's  Law  Dictionary,  and 
the  Institutes  of  American  Law ;  Messrs.  LIPPINCOTT  <fe  Co.  issue 
Dunlop's  Laws  of  the  United  States,  and  Messrs.  KING  &  BAIRD 
the  Philadelphia  Reports,  condensed  from  their  Legal  Intelli- 
gencer, which  is  the  only  weekly  Law  Journal  published  in  this 
country. 

3.  RELIGIOUS  BOOKS.  In  this  department  of  the  book  trade, 
individual  enterprise  has  been,  to  a  large  extent,  superceded  by 
incorporated  or  organized  societies,  who  publish  for  other  objects 
than  the  realization  of  profit.  In  Philadelphia,  we  believe, 
there  are  seven  of  these  societies,  having  a  publishing  department : 
the  Sunday  School  Union,  American  Baptist  Publication  So- 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND   NEWSPAPERS.  161 

ciety,  Presbyterian  Boards,  (Old  and  New  School),  Bishop 
White  Prayer  Book  Society,  Female  Prayer  Book  Society,  and 
the  Lutheran  Publication  Society.  As  an  indication  of  the 
magnitude  of  their  operations,  we  remark  the  fact,  that  in  1856, 
the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society  printed  16,276,293 
pages,  equal  to  18,478,293  pages  in  18mo. 

Among  the  individual  houses,  in  whose  catalogues  Religious 
Books  predominate,  we  would  instance  W.  S.  <fe  ALFRED  MAR- 
TIEN,  H.  HOOKER  &  Co.,  HIGGINS  &  PERKENPINE,  SMITH,  EN- 
GLISH &  Co.,  JAMES  CHALLEN  &  SONS,  and  several  publishers  of 
Catholic  works.  Mr.  W.  S.  MARTIEN  has  been  connected  with 
the  publication  business  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Ilis 
list  of  publications  embraces :  Scott's  Commentary  on  the  Bible, 
Baker's  Revival  Sermons,  the  works  of  Drs.  Alexander,  Hodge, 
Junkin,  Burro wes,  and  numerous  other  Theological  works.  Messrs. 
HOOKER  &  Co.  publish  Episcopal  Books  largely;  several  edi- 
tions of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  many  other  Religious 
works.  Messrs.  HIGGINS  &  PERKENPINE,  we  are  informed,  publish 
principally  Methodist  Books. 

The  Bible  is  a  standard  volume,  we  are  happy  to  say,  with 
nearly  all  the  publishers;  but  some  confine  their  operations  en- 
tirely to  its  issue.  One  establishment,  that  of  JESPER  HARDINO 
&  SON,  is  believed  to  be  the  largest  Bible  publishing  house  in 
this  country,  conducted  by  individual  enterprise. 

"  On  a  late  visit,"  says  our  informant,  Dr.  James  Moore,  "  we 
saw  over  20,000  copies  in  different  states  of  forwardness,  em- 
bracing fifty  varieties  at  different  prices,  from  the  copies  illus- 
trated with  engravings  on  wood  to  those  bound  in  Turkey  mo- 
rocco and  embellished  with  fine  steel  engravings  and  chromo-lith- 
ographic  illustrations.  Five  hundred  tons  of  white  paper,  at  from 
$250  to  $300  per  ton,  worth  at  least  $140,000  ;  500,000  leaves 
of  gold,  40  tons  of  tar  paper ;  20,000  sheep-skins,  which  the  flock 
of  Job,  containing  only  14,000  sheep,  could  not  have  supplied,  are 
annually  consumed  at  this  establishment.  It  employs  200  persons, 
a  book-folding  machine,  invented  by  Mr.  Chambers,  and  the  only 
one  ever  brought  into  effectual  operation,  is  at  work  here  daily." 

The  Rev.  THOMAS  H.  STOCKTON  has  lately  commenced  a  novel 
and  important  improvement  in  Bible  publication.  His  edition  is 


1(32  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

distinctive,  each  book  being  in  separate  binding.  Its  beauty  and 
advantages  have  been  acknowledged  by  a  bold  imitation  on  the 
part  of  the  well-known  Bible  house  of  BAGSTER  &  SONS  ;  a  proof 
that  London  sometimes  imitates  Philadelphia. 

Bibles  are  published  in  this  city  at  all  prices,  from  40  cents  to 
$150,  and  in  every  style  of  binding,  from  the  plainest  to  brown 
morocco,  illuminated,  and  with  painted  edges.  The  styles  are  gen- 
erally distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  publisher,  as  Harding's 
Bibles,  Butler's  Bibles,  Miller  &  Burlock's  Bibles,  Perry's  Bibles, 
Whilt  &  Yost's  Bibles,  and  Lippincott's  Bibles. 

3.  SCHOOL  BOOKS.  In  this  important  department  of  the  busi- 
ness, Philadelphia  publishers  hold  a  respectable  rank,  both  as  to 
the  intrinsic  merit  of  their  publications  and  the  amount  of  their 
sales.  H.  COWPERTHWAIT  &  Co.,  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &  Co.,  E. 
C.  &  J.  BIDDLE,  E.  H.  BUTLER  &  Co.,  CHARLES  DESILVER,  TJ. 
HUNT  &  SON,  HAYES  &  ZELL,  CRISSY  &  MARKLEY,  and  SOWER, 
BARNES  &  Co.,  are  all  extensively  engaged  in  this  branch  of  the 
business.  The  first  named  house  are  the  publishers  of  Mitchell's 
Series  of  School  Geographies,  the  most  popular  of  all  the  works 
on  this  study  published  in  the  United  States,  and  which  are  said 
to  have  met  with  an  annual  sale  of  about  300,000  volumes.  They 
also  publish  many  other  popular  School  books.  J.  B.  LIPPIN- 
COTT &  Co.  publish — along  with  numerous  works  in  other  depart- 
ments of  literature — a  large  number  of  books  adapted  to  various 
stages  of  advancement  in  school  studies,  and  many  of  which  have 
a  large  sale,  especially  throughout  the  Southern  and  Western 
portions  of  our  country.  The  Complete  Pronouncing  Gazetteer 
of  the  World,  edited  by  Dr.  Joseph  Thomas  and  Thomas  Baldwin, 
and  published  by  this  house,  is  a  work  of  such  unquestioned 
merit,  that  it  has  found,  or  will  find,  a  place  as  a  book  of  refer- 
ence in  almost  every  school  of  a  respectable  grade  in  the  United 
States,  and  reflects  credit  on  the  publishers.  The  Messrs.  BIDDLE 
devote  their  attention  almost  exclusively  to  the  educational  de- 
partment of  the  Publishing  and  Bookselling  business,  and  limit 
the  range  of  their  publications  to  works  adapted  to  advanced  pu- 
pils. Crittenden's  Series  of  Treatises  on  Book-keeping,  Cleve- 
land's Series  of  Compendiums  of  English  and  American  Litera- 
ture, and  their  Series  of  Class  Books  of  English  Etymology 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND    NEWSPAPERS.  163 

may  be  mentioned  as  fairly  representing  the  class  of  their 
publications,  which  have  a  widely  extended  and  well  merited 
reputation  for  thoroughness.  This  firm  are  known,  and  deserv- 
edly distinguished  as  Educational  publishers.  SOWER,  BARNES  & 
Co.,  also  confine  their  publications  almost  exclusively  to  Educa- 
tional works.  One  of  their  leading  publications  is  "  Pelton's 
Series  of  Outline  Maps,"  the  demand  for  which  supports  two 
manufactories.  They  also  publish  Sanders'  Readers,  and  works 
upon  Arithmetic,  Grammar,  History,  Philosophy,  and  Chemistry. 

E.  H.  BUTLER  &  Co.  have  given  special  attention  to  the  improve- 
ment of  School  books,   in  point  of  mechanical   execution.     A 
diamond,  they  have  supposed,  deserves  a  handsome  setting.    Their 
exertions  in  this  respect  have  been  very  successful,  and  not  lim- 
ited to  the  department  of    School   literature.     Messrs.  Charles 
Desilver,  TJ.  Hunt  &  Son,  Hayes  &  Zell,  Crissy  &  Markley,  and 
others,  publish  Educational  Books  of  established  reputation,  and 
which  are  extensively  sold.     As  regards  mechanical  execution,  it 
may  be  safely  asserted  that — owing  to  the  moderate  cost  of  man- 
ufacturing  in    Philadelphia — the   publications   of    her   principal 
School  Book  publishers  combine,  in  an  eminent  degree,  charac- 
teristics of  essential  importance  in  the  implements  with  which  we 
are  to  "  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,"  viz.,  durability,  neat- 
ness, and  cheapness. 

4.  GERMAN  BOOKS.  The  extent  of  the  German  population  in 
our  city  and  State,  renders  the  publication  of  German  books  a 
distinct  and  important  branch — there  being  at  least  four  houses 
whose  attention  is  principally  engrossed  by  it — WM.  G.  MENTZ, 

F.  W.  THOMAS,   IGNATIUS  KOHLER,  and  JOHN  WEIK.     The  last 
named  is  very  extensively  engaged  in  the  publication  of  German 
works ;  and  is  the  first  publisher,  within  our  knowledge,  who  re- 
gularly and  successfully  exports  books  from  this  country  to  Ger- 
many.   In  the  present  season,  we  are  informed,  he  has  sent  thither 
three  thousand  copies  of  a  German  Dictionary,  to  aid  in  instruct- 
ing his  countrymen  in  the  signification  of  their  language.     He  is 
the  sole  publisher  of  a  complete  edition  of  Heine's  works,  either 
in  this  country  or  in  Germany. 

Numerous  as  these  subdivisions  are,  they  might  with  propriety 
be  further  extended.  One  class  of  publishers  prepare  their 


164  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

works  with  a  view  to  sale  mainly  by  subscription,  or  through 
agents.  We  would  instance  J.  W.  BRADLEY,  who  publishes  nearly 
thirty  volumes  of  Arthur's  works  ;  JOHN  E.  POTTER,  GEORGE 
W.  GORTON,  and  the  long  established  house  of  LEARY  &  GETZ. 
Another  class  make  the  publication  of  Juveniles,  or  books 
adapted  for  the  young,  a  principal  feature  in  their  business  ; 
among  these,  PECK  &  BLISS,  J.  P.  KELLER,  WILLIS  P.  HAZARD, 
H.  H.  HENDERSON,  and  HENRY  P.  ANNERS,  are  prominent. 
Music  Books  are  leading  publications  with  others ;  and  many 
of  the  volumes  of  this  description  that  are  standards  in  the  South 
and  West,  are  published  in  this  city.  MILLER  &  BURLOCK  have 
sold  nearly  a  half  million  of  the  "  Southern  Harmony,"  and  T.  K. 
COLLINS  publishes  "  Aikin's  Christian  Minstrel ;"  and  we  believe 
nearly  a  dozen  others.  The  attention  of  other  publishers  is  largely 
engrossed  by  illustrated  works.  Some  of  the  most  magnificent 
Fine- Art  Books  in  the  world  are  the  issues  of  Philadelphia  houses. 
We  would  instance  RICE  &  HART'S  National  Portrait  Gallery 
of  Distinguished  Americans,  containing  144  steel  engravings, 
which  alone  cost  $40,000 ;  and  their  McKenney  &  Hall's  His- 
tory of  the  Indian  Tribes,  with  120  colored  illustrations,  and 
the  North  American  Sylva,  with  277  colored  illustrations.  E. 
H.  BUTLER  &  Co.'s  publications  also  embrace  a  number  that  are 
remarkable  for  the  elegance  of  their  illustrations,  and  for  typo- 
graphical beauty.  Murray  or  Longman  might  be  proud  of  such 
books  as  their  editions  of  Burns,  or  Goldsmith,  or  Thomson,  or 
Keble's  Christian  Year ;  or  Heber's  Poetical  works,  or  Stevens' 
Parables,  or  Read's  Female  Poets,  or  Macaulay's  Lays  of  Ancient 
Rome,  adorned  as  they  are  with  all  the  embellishments  of  taste  and 
art.  Messrs.  HAYES  &  ZELL,  and  J.  W.  MOORE,  have  also 
issued  several  most  superb  works.  Lastly,  we  come  to  the  class 
who  may  be  designated  as  publishers  of  miscellaneous  works,  or 

5.  GENERAL  PUBLISHERS.  Nearly  all  those  whose  names  we  have 
already  mentioned  belong  to  this  class.  With  very  few  exceptions, 
we  presume  none  will  refuse  to  aid  in  the  parturition  of  a  book  of 
respectable  character  and  average  merit,  if  they  can  be  assured  of 
its  saleability,  or  guaranteed  against  loss.  Whether  it  be  a  novel 
or  a  professional  treatise,  an  annual  or  a  commentary,  they  are 
indifferent,  provided  the  popular  demand  is  sufficiently  significant, 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND    NEWSPAPERS.  165 

in  their  opinion,  to  justify  reasonable  expectations  of  profit  from 
its  publication.  It  would,  therefore,  be  tedious  to  repeat  the 
names  of  all  in  Philadelphia  who  publish  miscellaneous  books. 
We  shall  only  mention,  in  this  connection,  those  who  are  prom- 
inently distinguished  as  extensive  and  wholesale  publishers  of  mis- 
cellaneous works. 

Foremost  in  the  ranks  of  geperal  publishers,  are  J.  B.  LIPPIN- 
COTT  &  Co.,  the  house  referred  to  by  Mr.  Carey,  as  probably  the 
largest  book  distributing  house  in  the  world.  It  was  established 
nearly  thirty-five  years  ago  by  John  Grigg,  Esq.,  long  and  widely 
known  as  the  most  successful  of  booksellers,  who,  with  his  part- 
ners, conducted  the  business  under  the  style  and  firm  of  Grigg  & 
Eliot,  and  Grigg,  Eliot  &  Co.,  until  the  year  1849,  when  Mr.  J.  B. 
Lippincott  purchased  the  respective  interests  of  Messrs.  Grigg  & 
Eliot,  and  in  connection  with  the  junior  partners  of  the  old  firm, 
established  the  present.  This  purchase  was  probably  the  heaviest 
ever  made  by  one  individual  in  the  book  trade. 

The  firm  of  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &  Co.  is  now  composed  of  six 
partners,  Messrs.  Lippincott,  Remsen,  Claxton,  Willis,  and  two 
recently  admitted,  C.  C.  Haffelfinger  and  John  A.  Remsen. 
Their  general  business  combines  that  of  Publishers,  Print- 
ers, Bookbinders,  and  Wholesale  Booksellers  and  Stationers. 
As  publishers,  they  have  frequently  set  up  in  a  year  twenty 
thousand  solid  octavo  pages  of  new  standard  works,  besides 
printing  large  editions  from  the  stereotype  plates  of  over  two 
hundred  different  volumes,  now  in  their  vaults.  Within  the  last 
few  years  they  have  issued  a  number  of  most  costly  and  valu- 
able books,  as  for  instance,  their  Gazetteer  of  the  World,  at  a 
cost  of  $50,000  ;  Indigenous  Races  of  Mankind,  by  Nott  &  Glid- 
don ;  and  more  recently  Blodgett's  Climatology,  which  has  been 
highly  eulogized  by  Humboldt,  and  other  eminent  scientific  au- 
thorities. The  character  of  their  leading  publications,  as  well  as 
the  enterprise  of  the  publishers,  will  be  inferred  from  these;  or 
perhaps  more  distinctly,  when  we  state  that  the  original  cost  of 
four  of  their  works,  including  their  illustrated  edition  of  the 
Waverly  Novels,  and  the  Comprehensive  Commentary,  was 
$186,300.  They  have  recently  incurred  an  important  outlay  to 
lo 


166  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

secure  to  Philadelphia  the  publication  of  Webster's  Dictionary, 
of  which  they  now  publish  five  different  editions. 

In  connection  with  the  Publishing  house,  Mr.  Lippincott  has 
recently  erected  a  six-story  building,  equipped  with  new  and 
superior  machinery  for  printing  and  binding  books,  and  in  which 
about  one-  hundred  and  fifty  persons  are  constantly  employed. 
The  capital  invested  by  this  firm  in  the  general  business  exceeds 
a  half  million  of  dollars ;  and  the  copyright  money  paid  by  them 
to  authors  annually  cannot  be  far  short  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars. 

CHILDS  &  PETERSON,  to  whom  we  previously  referred  in  con- 
nection with  Law  Books,  are  widely  known  as  the  publishers  of 
the  Arctic  Explorations,  2  vols.,  8vo.,  for  which  they  paid  the 
estate  of  Dr.  Kane  the  sum  of  $65,000,  as  author's  proceeds  of 
the  first  year's  sale,  being,  it  is  believed,  a  larger  amount  of 
copyright  money  than  was  ever  before  paid  for  one  work  in  the 
world.  They  have  now  in  press,  Allibone's  Dictionary  of  Authors 
and  Literature,  which  will  contain  a  mention  of  every  author 
who  has  written  in  the  English  language,  making  in  all  upward 
of  30,000  names.  It  has  been  in  course  of  stereotyping  for  the 
last  five  years,  will  be  issued  in  1859,  in  one  volume,  super-royal 
octavo  of  1,800  pages,  and  will  contain  twenty  per  cent,  more 
matter  than  Webster's  quarto  Dictionary.  The  firm  of  Childs  & 
Peterson  was  established  in  1848,  and  consists  of  Robert  E.  Pe- 
terson and  George  W.  Childs. 

T.  B.  PETERSON  &  BROTHERS  have  in  their  possession  the  stereo- 
type plates  of  about  six  hundred  different  books,  small  and  great, 
principally  novels.  They  have  invested  about  $50,000  in  Dick- 
ens' works  alone,  of  which  they  print  twenty-nine  different  edi- 
tions :  the  only  complete  series  in  the  United  States.  The  sales 
annually  average  50,000  volumes.  This  firm  manifest  an  abiding 
confidence  in  the  virtues  of  printer's  ink. 

PARRY  &  McMiLLAN  are  the  successors  of  A.  Hart,  lato  Carey 
&  Hart,  and  their  list  of  publications,  as  may  be  supposed,  com- 
prises a  number  of  very  valuable  books.  Many  of  their  more 
recent  issues  are  of  a  religious  character. 

WILLIS  P.  HAZARD'S  catalogue  is  an  interesting  one,  era- 
bracing  a  new  edition  of  the  most  popular  Poets,  standard  library 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND   NEWSPAPEKS.  167 

editions  of  good  authors,  fine  editions  of  Shakspeare,  and  a  va- 
riety of  Juveniles,  &c. 

The  catalogues  of  H.  COWPERTHWAITE  &  Co.,  CHARLES  DESIL- 
VER,  E.  H.  BUTLER  &  Co.,  LINDSAY  &  BLAKISTON,  JAMES  B. 
SMITH  &  Co.,  J.  L.  GIHON,  and  others,  contain  the  titles  of  nu- 
merous choice  miscellaneous  works. 

The  Publishers  of  Philadelphia  occupying,  as  they  do,  a  more 
central  position  than  their  brethren  in  New  York  and  Boston, 
and  having  peculiar  advantages  for  circulating  works  throughout 
the  entire  Union,  are  much  sought  after  by  the  latter  as  agents 
for  the  distribution  of  their  publications.  Hence  wholesale  book- 
selling is  usually  combined  with  publishing.  Hence,  too,  while 
preferring,  as  they  manifestly  do,  for  their  own  issues,  works 
possessing  some  substantial  merit  aside  from  mere  entertainment, 
their  stocks  are  generally  very  miscellaneous,  embracing  every 
variety  of  books,  from  the  most  ephemeral  to  the  most  substantial. 
The  fact,  however,  that  wholesale  bookselling  is  combined  with 
publishing,  renders  it  difficult  even  for  those  who  are  so  disposed 
to  furnish  accurately  the  statistics  of  their  own  publications.  The 
best  approximation  that  we  can  make,  with  the  aid  of  experienced 
printers,  in  estimating  the  annual  business  of  those  who  decline 
to  furnish  any  statement  for  themselves,  toward  ascertaining  the 
value  of  books  published  annually  in  Philadelphia,  gives  a  result 
of  $3,690,000 ;  and  of  capital  employed,  $2,500,000.  This  is  ex- 
clusive of  books  issued  by  printers,  bookbinders,  and  authors  who 
occasionally  assume  the  risk  of  becoming  their  own  publishers. 

NEWSPAPERS  — MAGAZINES. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Pennsylvania  was  printed 
in  1719,  by  Andrew  Bradford,  in  association  with  John  Copson, 
and  entitled  "  The  American  Weekly  Mercury."*  The  second 
newspaper  was  started  by  Samuel  Keimer,  in  1728,  (immor- 
talized by  Franklin,  in  his  autobiography,  as  a  "  great  knave  at 
heart"),  and  bore  the  title  of  "  The  Universal  Instructor  in  all 
Arts  and  Sciences,  and  Pennsylvania  Gazette."  It  was  a  folio 
sheet.  After  the  return  of  Franklin  from  England,  he,  in  1729, 

*  Mease's  "  Picture  of  Philadelphia,  in  1811,"  and  "Newspaper  Record." 


168  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

united  for  a  short  time  with  Hugh  Meredith,  and  continued  Kei- 
mer's  paper,  on  a  whole  or  half  sheet,  as  occasion  required.  In 
1739,  as  we  previously  stated,  Christopher  Sower  established 
at  Germantown  a  German  quarterly,  but  changed  it  to  a  weekly 
in  1744,  under  the  title  of  "  The  Germantown  Gazette."  What 
however  may  be  called  the  third  paper  in  Pennsylvania  was 
"  The  Pennsylvania  Journal,"  issued  December  2d,  1742.  It 
was  continued  till  1800.  "The  Chronicle  and  Universal  Ad- 
vertiser" was  the  fourth  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  first  with  four 
columns  on  a  page.  It  was  an  influential  sheet,  and  lived  till 
1773.  Seven  Journals  in  the  English  language,  and  six  in  the 
German,  were  started  in  Philadelphia  before  the  Revolution. 

The  first  daily  paper  published  in  the  United  States  was  "  The 
Pennsylvania  Packet,  or  General  Advertiser,"  established  in 
Philadelphia  as  a  weekly,  by  John  Dunlap,  in  1771,  but  con- 
verted to  a  daily  in  1784.  At  this  period,  Mr.  David  C.  Clay- 
poole  became  associated  in  its  management.  To  him  Washington 
presented  the  original  manuscript  of  his  farewell  address,  which  was 
recently  sold  by  his  executors,  through  Messrs.  Thomas  &  Sons, 
and  purchased  by  Mr.  Lennox  of  New  York,  for  a  sum  exceeding 
$2,000.  The  first  daily  evening  newspaper  established  in  Phila- 
delphia was  "  The  Philadelphia  Gazette,"  by  Samuel  Relf,  in 
1788.  In  1790  Mr.  Bache  published  "The  Aurora,"  afterward 
purchased  by  William  Duane.  1791,  Mr.  E.  Bronson  origin- 
ated "  The  United  States  Gazette,"  which  is  now  continued  under 
the  title  of  "The  North  American  and  United  States  Gazette." 
The  other  daily  newspapers  that  flourished  in  Philadelphia,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  present  century,  were  "  The  True  American," 
established  in  1797,  by  Mr.  Bradford  ;  "  The  Freeman's  Journal;" 
"The  Register,"  commenced  in  1804,  by  Mr.  Jackson;  "The 
Democratic  Press,"  established  in  1807,  by  John  Binns,  and 
"  Poulson's  American  Daily  Advertiser,"  which  was  the  successor 
of  "  The  Pennsylvania  Packet." 

The  first  paper  that  habitually  treated  Letters  and  Arts  in  con- 
nection with  commercial  and  political  matters  was  "The  Daily 
National  Gazette,"  originated  at  Philadelphia  in  1820.  Accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Griswold,  in  his  history  of  American  Literature,  the 
establishment  of  this  paper  was  an  era  in  our  national  mind. 


BOOKS,    MAGAZINES,    AND    NEWSPAPERS. 


169 


Philadelphia  was  the  second  city  in  the  Union  to  encourage 
penny  papers ;  and  the  "  Ledger"  has  now  a  larger  uniform  circu- 
lation, it  is  generally  believed,  than  any  daily  newspaper  printed 
in  the  world,  the  London  Standard  perhaps  excepted.  It  is 
printed  on  two  of  Hoe's  Last  Fast  eight-cylinder  Printing  Ma- 
chines, capable  of  printing  20,000  impressions  per  hour. 

At  the  present  time  twelve  Newspapers  are  published  daily  in 
Philadelphia,  as  follows  : — 


Name. 

Published  by 

When 
Established. 

Remarks. 

MORNINQ. 
N.  American  &  U.  S.  Gazette. 

Morton  McMichael  

1791 

Independent. 

Pennsylvania  Inquirer  
Public  Ledger  

Jesper  Harding  &  Son.... 
Swain  &  Abell  

1829 
1836 

William  Eice  

1S32 

Press  

John  W.  Forney  

1857 

1848 

Philadelphia  Democrat  

Hoffman  &  Morwitz  
P.  W.Thomas  

1838 
1848 

German. 

AFTERNOON. 

Evening  Bulletin  

A.  Cummings  &  G.  Pea- 

1847 

Independent,  successor  of 
the  American  Sentinel, 

Evening  Journal  

Grayson,  Irwin  &  Mont- 

1850 

Independent. 

Joseph  Severns  &  Co  

1851 

Evening  Reporter  

1857 

Successor  of  Mor'g  Times. 

The  following  Newspapers  are  published  weekly: — 


Saturday  Evening  Post, 

The  Dollar  Newspaper, 

The  Weekly  North  American, 

Philadelphia  Saturday  Bulletin, 

Weekly  Peunsylvanian, 

Pennsylvania  Inquirer,  tri-weekly 

Forney's  Weekly  Press, 

Fitzgerald's  City  Item, 

Dollar  Weekly  News, 

National  Argus, 

Commercial  List, 

United  States  Business  Journal, 

U.  States  Rail-road  and  Mining  Register, 

Southern  Monitor, 

Sunday  Dispatch, 

Sunday  Transcript, 

Sunday  Mercury, 

The  Public   Mirror, 

The  Tattler, 

Banner  of  the  Cross, 


Episcopal  Recorder, 

The  Presbyterian, 

The  American  Presbyterian, 

Christian  Chronicle, 

Christian  Observer, 

The  Catholic  Herald, 

The  Friend, 

Friends'  Weekly  Intelligencer, 

Friends'  Review, 

The  Moravian, 

The  Woman's  Advocate, 

Germantown  Telegraph, 

Frankford  Herald, 

The  Legal  Intelligencer, 

Real  Estate  News  Letter, 

Masonic  Mirror, 

The  New  World, 

Vereingte  Staaten  Zeitung, 

Republican  Flag, 

Philadelphia  Wochenblatt. 


Every  merchant  and  every  farmer  throughout  the  Union  should 
subscribe  for  at  least  one  newspaper  from  a  city  so  important  as 
Philadelphia ;  and  no  one  who  reads  aright  can  fail  to  obtain  an 
amount  of  practical,  useful  information,  that  will  amply  repay  the 
trifling  expenditure. 

In  addition  to  the  Journals  above  enumerated  or  referred  to, 
there  are  about  fifty  Periodicals  published  in  Philadelphia,  in- 
13* 


170  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

eluding  Medical,  Legal,  Scientific,  and  denominational  organs. 
Of  the  strictly  Literary  Magazines  there  are  four — Peterson's  Mag- 
azine, Arthur's  Home  Magazine,  Graham's  Magazine,  and  Godey's 
Lady's  Book,  established  in  1830.  The  last  is  specially  designed 
for  the  ladies ;  and  from  its  devotion  to  their  tastes,  and  the  valu- 
able supply  of  fashion  plates,  it  has  attained  an  enormous  circula- 
tion. It  is  a  creditable  fact,  worthy  of  being  noticed,  that  an 
oath  has  never  been  registered  in  its  pages.  The  Philadelphia 
Magazines  have  long  been  celebrated  for  their  high  moral  tone 
and  their  devotion  to  the  Fine  Arts — making  exquisite  illustra- 
tions a  leading  feature. 

We  regret  that  we  are  unable  to  furnish  any  reliable  Statistics 
of  Newspapers  and  Periodicals.  We  therefore  proceed  to  con- 
sider the  most  important  of  the  industrial  branches  to  which  the 
creation  of  Books  and  Periodicals  has  given  rise. 

IV. 
The  Book  Manufacture  and  its  Kindred  Branches. 

Livingstone,  the  celebrated  traveler,  in  the  Preface  to  his 
Journal  of  Explorations,  states  that  those  who  have  never  carried 
a  book  through  the  press,  can  form  no  idea  of  the  amount  of  toil 
it  involves  ;  and  adds,  that  the  process  has  increased  his  respect  for 
authors  a  thousandfold.  Again,  in  the  Introduction,  he  says,  "  I 
think  I  had  rather  cross  the  African  continent  than  write  another 
book."  But  books  are  the  embodiment,  not  merely  of  the  labor 
of  the  author,  but  of  a  vast  number  of  persons  occupied  in  seem- 
ingly diverse  branches  of  industry.  A  volume,  however  insignifi- 
cant in  itself,  represents  a  portion  of  the  labor  of  rag-gatherers, 
carters,  bleachers,  paper-makers,  paper-machine  makers,  miners, 
furnace-men,  type-metal  makers,  type-founders,  compositors,  press- 
men ;  bookbinders,  publishers  ;  manufacturers  of  printing  presses, 
pf  printing  ink,  of  gold  leaf,  of  bookbinders'  tools,  and  book- 
binders' muslin  and  leather;  sometimes  engravers  on  wood  or 
steel,  lithographers,  stereotypers  or  electrotypers ;  marble-paper 
makers,  and  others.  All  those  who  are  directly  concerned  in 
the  production  of  books  are  largely  congregated  in  Philadelphia, 
with  many  in  each  of  the  kindred  branches,  as  blank  books,  maps, 


THE   BOOK   MANUFACTURE.  171 

envelops,  &c.     To  notice  the  present  development  of  the  more 
important  and  prominent  of  these  is  our  present  purpose. 

1.     TYPE    METAL. 

Type-metal  is  composed  of  block-tin,  lead,  and  antimony. 
There  is  one  large  establishment  in  this  city  for  manufacturing 
Type  and  Stereotype  metal,  in  connection  with  Babbitt  metal 
and  packing,  and  anti-friction  metals  of  every  description.  In 
this  foundry  eight  furnaces  are  used ;  one  of  which  is  con- 
structed on  a  new  principle,  and  is  used  for  smelting  lead  and 
antimony  from  the  ore,  as  it  comes  from  the  mine.  This  furnace 
is  of  the  largest  size.  The  proprietor,  Mr.  H.  W.  Hook,  has  for 
some  years  directed  his  attention  to  the  production  of  a  durable 
metal  for  Type-founders,  and  now  manufactures  an  article,  of 
which  the  ingredients  are  not  disclosed,  but  which  is  claimed 
to  be  the  best  in  the  United  States.  It  is  known  as  Hook's 
Adamantine  Metal ;  and  when  cast  into  the  smallest  type  may  be 
driven,  it  is  said,  without  injuring  its  face  in  the  least,  into  the 
hardest  type  heretofore  known.  It  produces  type  in  sharpness, 
clearness,  and  delicacy,  comparing  favorably  with  electrotype. 
Mr.  Hook  also  produces  a  metal  for  hardening,  which  may  be 
used  as  a  substitute  for  tin. 

2.    TYPE-FOUNDING. 

Type-Founding,  in  or  near  Philadelphia,  dates  from  1735, 
when  Christopher  Sower  established  a  printing-office  at  Ger- 
mantown,  and  cast  his  own  types.  Soon  after  the  close  of 
the  war,  Mr.  John  Baine,  of  Edinburgh,  established  a  Type- 
foundry  here ;  and  was,  it  is  believed,  the  first  who  regularly 
carried  on  the  business  of  Type-founding  in  the  United  States. 
In  1790  Baine  died,  and  Messrs.  Archibald  Binny  and  James  Ro- 
naldson  established  another  foundry,  unconnected  with  any  other 
business,  and  were  eminently  successful.  It  is  to  them  the  world 
is  indebted  for  the  first  real  improvement  in  Type-founding  since 
the  days  of  Peter  Schceffer ;  this  was  in  the  type  mould  :  enab- 
ling a  caster  to  cast  6,000  types  in  a  day,  as  easily  as  he  could 
have  done  4,000  by  the  old  process.  It  is  known  in  Europe  a3 
the  American  Mould. 


172  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Iii  1808,  Mr.  AVm.  L.  Johnson  patented  a  machine  for  casting 
type,  by  which  he  was  enabled  to  give  a  sharper  outline  and  better 
face  to  the  letter,  by  using  a  pump  to  force  the  liquid  metal  into 
the  mould.  This  idea  subsequently  passed  through  many  modi- 
fications and  improvements,  and  the  casting  capacity  of  Binny 
and  Ronaldson's  Mould  is  now  multiplied  threefold. 

The  quality  of  Philadelphia  type  bears  a  favorable  comparison 
with  that  of  Europe,  and  is  cheaper.  The  metal  used  is  a  mixture 
composed  chiefly  of  lead,  antimony,  and  tin,  in  proportion  to  the 
kind  of  type  required.  There  are  now  four  establishments  in  the 
business — L.  Johnson  &  Co.,  Collins  &  McLeester,  Pelouze  and 
Son,  and  A.  Robb  ;  and  another  firm,  Starr  &  Co.,  produce  type  for 
marking  linens.  The  amount  of  capital  invested  is  stated  approxi- 
mately at  $500,000,  and  the  aggregate  product  at  $420,000.  Messrs. 
Johnson  &  Co.  employ  in  this  department  of  their  general  busi- 
ness, which  includes  also  Stereotyping  and  Electrotyping,  about 
two  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons,  and  produce  annually  about 
600,000  Ibs.  of  type,  averaging  fifty  cents  per  pound,  or  $300,000. 
This  firm  publish  very  elegant  specimen  books ;  which  may  be 
referred  to  as  a  sample  not  merely  of  their  own  product,  but  of 
all  the  Philadelphia  Type-founders. 

3.     STEREOTYPING. 

Stereotyping  is  the  mode  of  casting  perfect  fac-similes,  in 
metal,  of  the  face  of  movable  types.  The  plan  is  simple.  After 
arranging  the  type  in  pages,  and  getting  it  perfectly  smooth 
and  clean,  it  is  placed  in  a  frame,  the  surface  being  thoroughly 
oiled  to  prevent  the  mould  from  adhering,  when  liquid  gypsum, 
or  Plaster  of  Paris,  is  poured  over  the  page.  The  mould 
thus  taken,  if  perfect,  is  dressed  with  an  instrument,  and  a 
hole  made  to  admit  the  metal.  It  is  then  dried,  after  which  it  is 
put  into  an  iron  casting-box,  and  the  whole  immersed  in  liquid 
type-metal.  Twenty  to  thirty  minutes  usually  suffice  for  casting. 
The  box  is  then  swung  out  of  the  molten  mass  into  a  cooling- 
trough,  in  which  the  underside  is  exposed  to  the  water.  When 
hard,  the  caster  breaks  off  the  superfluous  metal,  and  separates 
the  plaster  mould  from  the  plate.  It  is  then  picked,  the  edges 
trimmed,  the  back  shaved  to  a  proper  thickness,  and  made  readj 
for  the  press. 


THE   BOOK   MANUFACTURE.  173 

Stereotyping  is  of  comparatively  recent  introduction  into  the 
United  States.  Mr.  L.  Johnson,  to  whom  we  have  already  re- 
ferred, was  among  the  first  to  practice  the  art  in  Philadelphia, 
about  thirty-five  years  ago.  For  many  months  he  was  able  to 
execute  all  orders  with  his  own  hands.  There  are  now  seven 
Stereotype  foundries  in  this  city,  employing  about  one  hundred 
and  eighty  hands,  and  having  a  capital  invested  of  $150,000. 

4.     PRINTING. 

The  processes  of  Printing  are  familiar  to  the  majority  of  per- 
sons, and  are  generally  the  same  in  all  the  offices:  nevertheless, 
the  results  produced,  singular  to  say,  differ  very  widely.  The 
characteristics  of  the  typography  of  different  printers  are  almost 
as  marked  as  their  nasal  protuberances,  and  as  readily  distin- 
guishable by  close  observers.  Some  of  the  literati  of  Washing- 
ton, recently  admiring  the  typography  of  a  work,  credited  it 
to  their  own  printers ;  when  a  publisher  present,  though  he  had 
never  seen  nor  heard  of  the  work,  confidently  attributed  it  to 
Philadelphia  ;  and  subsequent  information  confirmed  his  sagac- 
ity. In  fact,  a  large  portion  of  fine  work,  bearing  the  im- 
print of  Southern  printers,  and  particularly  of  the  Washington 
establishments,  is  executed  in  this  city.  Some  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  which  the  Art  in  America  can  boast,  have 
issued  from  the  Philadelphia  press.  The  typographical  beauty  of 
such  works  as  the  Indian  Biography,  the  National  Portrait  Gal- 
lery, Schoolcraft's  Indian  Tribes,  and  Gliddon's  Types  of  Mankind, 
is  acknowledged  everywhere,  and  is  the  result,  not  of  accidental 
circumstances,  but  of  long  experience,  unsurpassed  facilities,  and 
unremitted  vigilance  and  care. 

There  are  now  about  fifty  Printing-offices  in  Philadelphia,  ex- 
clusive of  the  newspaper  press,  employing  from  three  to  one 
hundred  persons  each  ;  and  executing  work  of  every  descrip- 
tion, from  a  card  to  a  quarto.  The  compositors  in  the  city,  who 
are  members  of  the  Printers'  Association,  are  about  four  hundred ; 
while  the  force  engaged  in  ordinary  times  is  nearly  one  thousand 
persons.  Many  of  the  employees  who  tend  presses  are  females, 
whose  earnings  average  $4  per  week.  Power-presses  are  in  use 
in  all  the  leading  establishments,  five  having  seventy-four  in  con- 
stant operation,  the  cost  of  which  was  not  far  short  of  $150,000 


174  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS.  MANUFACTURES. 

A.S  an  evidence  of  the  capacity  of  our  Book  offices  for  executing 
work  with  expedition,  we  may  state,  that  the  average  of  each 
week's  work  done  in  one  single  establishment  is  about  fifteen  hun- 
dred tokens  for  fifty-nine  working  hours,  which  is  equivalent  to  nine 
million  duodecimo  pages ;  or,  in  other  words,  the  presses  of  one 
firm  turn  out  about  twenty-five  thousand  duodecimo  volumes  of 
ordinary  size  each  week.  By  working  at  night,  the  quantity  could 
be  doubled.  As  an  illustration  of  the  facilities  possessed  for 
printing  in  different  languages,  we  subjoin  the  following  extract 
from  a  note  received  from  one  of  the  leading  firms  : — 

"  We  set  up  for  the  Stereotypers,  during  the  last  year,  Dr.  Jayne's 
Medical  Almanac,  in  the  following  eight  languages  : — -English,  German, 
Hollandische,  Sivedish,  Norwegian,  French,  Spanish,  and  Portuguese. 

"  "We  have  set  up  and  printed  from  type  six  volumes  Latin  Theology, 
octavo,  with  Greek  and  Hebrew  Notes  ;  a  Hymn  Book  in  Cherokee, 
from  movable  type ;  several  German  Dictionaries,  from  one  of  which 
we  have  sent  three  separate  editions  to  Germany — in  all  six  thousand 
copies.  Also,  a  German  Grammar,  two  editions  of  which  went  to  Ger- 
many. Last  month  we  completed  a  small  work  in  French  on  Prosody 
— one  half  the  edition  was  ordered,  and  shipped  by  us  direct  to  Paris, 
on  account  of  the  author,  Victor  Value,  Esq.  K.  &  B." 

Ornamental  Printing,  or  Printing  in  Colors,  is  carried  on  by 
the  principal  firms  as  a  branch  of  their  general  business,  and  it 
is  also  made  an  exclusive  business  by  several.  This  department 
of  the  Printer's  Art  has  been  developed  wonderfully  within  a 
few  years.  In  England  its  importance  dates  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  century,  when  the  rivalry  existing  between 
the  proprietors  of  various  State  lotteries,  induced  them  to  invoke 
its  virtues  for  making  their  advertising  schemes  attractive.  It  was 
subsequently  applied  principally  to  Playing-cards.  On  the  day 
of  the  Coronation  of  Queen  Victoria,  an  edition  of  the  Sun  news- 
paper was  printed  entirely  in  gold.  This  was  considered  a  great 
feat.  At  the  present  time,  printers  in  Philadelphia  frequently 
execute  orders  for  bank  checks  in  gold ;  and  fancy  show  bills,  and 
especially  Druggists'  and  Perfumers'  fancy  labels,  demand  all  the 
tints  of  the  rainbow.  A  great  deal  of  work  is  done  in  this 
branch  upon  orders  from  New  York. 

Printing  for  the  Blind  has  been  executed  in  Philadelphia  with  a 


THE    BOOK    MANUFACTURE.  175 

fair  share  of  success,  and  its  importance  is  evident,  inasmuch  as 
the  statistics  show,  that  in  America  one  out  of  every  two  thousand 
is  blind.  The  process  adopted  was  what  is  known  as  printing  in 
relief — the  alphabet  being  Roman  capitals,  in  small,  compact,  sharp 
type,  and  the  relief  produced  by  heavy  pressure  on  thick  paper 
between  two  sheets  of  copper,  having  the  letters  deeply  cut.  The 
embossing  is  thus  on  both  sides.  Several  works,  including  nearly 
all  the  Gospels  and  Epistles,  have  been  printed  at  the  Institution 
for  the  Blind,  and  the  typography  was  complimented  by  the  Lon- 
don juries  as  exceedingly  well  executed,  and  comparing  "  most 
favorably  with  the  best  of  the  Glasgow  books." 

PRINTING  INKS.  In  printing,  especially  plate  printing,  the 
tone  and  color  of  the  Ink  used  are  all  important.  Without  good 
Inks  it  would  be  impossible  to  attain  any  marked  success  in  letter- 
press. There  are  now  five  establishments  in  this  city  engaged  in 
making  Printing  Inks — Chas.  E.  Johnson,  Lay  &  Brother,  Caleb 
Pierce,  Woodruff  &  Co.,  and  L.  Martin  &  Co.*  The  first  named 
is  probably  the  oldest  established  concern  in  the  United  States. 
Some  of  these  establishments  confine  their  manufacture  to  Black 
Inks  solely — others  make  all  the  usual  varieties  of  Colored  Inks, 
which  have  been  compared  with  the  English  and  pronounced  supe- 
rior. Within  the  last  few  years  a  great  impetus  has  been  given  to 

*  The  youngest  of  these  enterprising  firms,  Messrs.  L.  MARTIN  &  Co., 
have  very  politely  proposed  to  furnish  a  fair  sample  of  Philadelphia  Ink  for 
use  in  these  pages.  This  firm  claim  to  have  freed  their  Inks  entirely  from 
those  empyreumatic  oils,  the  presence  of  which  so  often  endangers  the  best 
efforts  of  the  printer,  by  causing  the  work  to  change  to  a  dingy  brown. 
Mr.  Adams,  the  author  of  the  well-known  "  Adams'  Typographia,"  is  associ- 
ated in  this  firm,  and  has  succeeded  in  producing  a  very  superior  article,  of 
which  the  one-dollar  quality  has  been  used  side  by  side  with  English  four- 
dollar  Ink,  and  the  difference  is  imperceptible  to  au  unpracticed  eye.  They 
state,  "true  economy  in  business  is  one  of  the  chief  elements  of  success; 
but  in  relation  to  Printing  Ink  particularly,  the  lowest  priced  is  not  always 
the  cheapest ;  but  that  which,  containing  the  most  color,  will  require  the 
least  ink,  and  as  a  consequence,  produce  the  finest  work." 

In  connection  with  Printing  Inks,  Messrs.  L.  Martin  &  Co.  manufacture 
Lamp  Black  extensively — many  tons  being  exported  to  Europe  every  month. 
Their  manufactory  is  said  to  be  the  largest  in  the  Union.  A  few  years  since, 
America  depended  for  Lamp  Black  entirely  upon  foreign  supplies. 


176  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

this  business,  and  a  great  improvement  effected  in  the  manufac- 
ture ;  and,  at  the  present  time,  the  quality  of  Ink  made  in  Philadel- 
phia is  said  to  be  superior  to  any  in  the  country.  Product  about 
$160,000. 

5.     PAPER. 

The  extent  of  the  publishing  interest  in  Philadelphia  neces- 
sarily makes  this  city  one  of  the  great  Paper  marts  of  the  Union. 
There  are  now  at  least  thirty-five  houses  in  Philadelphia  engaged 
more  or  less  extensively  in  dealing  in  Paper  and  Paper-maker's 
materials  ;  and  on  Sixth,  Commerce,  and  other  streets,  there  are 
immense  warehouses  filled,  ream  upon  ream,  with  paper  of  all 
kinds,  sizes,  and  colors,  the  product  of  European,  New  England, 
and  Pennsylvania  mills,  consigned  for  sale,  and  sold  in  some  in- 
stances at  lower  prices  than  the  same  paper  could  be  purchased 
for  cash  from  the  manufacturer.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  along 
the  Brandywine,  in  Delaware  and  Chester  counties,  the  Paper- 
mills  are  very  numerous,  some  of  them  the  oldest  in  the  country, 
as  for  instance,  the  Ivy  Mill,  which  produced,  it  is  said,  the  first 
Printing  Paper  made  in  America  ;  and  also,  the  first  Bank  Note 
Paper,  viz.,  that  for  the  old  Continental  money.  But  within  the 
limits  of  the  consolidated  city,  there  are  only  nine  Paper  mills — 
four  in  Manayunk,  three  on  the  Wissahicon,  one  in  West  Phila- 
delphia, and  one  on  the  Schuylkill,  near  the  Soapstone  quarry. 
These  mills,  however,  are  generally  of  the  first  class,  some  of 
them  new  Steam-mills,  (see  APPENDIX)  ;  and  produce,  including 
those  of  two  other  parties,  whose  head-quarters  are  in  this  city, 
and  whose  products  are  sold  exclusively  here,  an  average  annual 
value  of  $1,250,000.  The  City  Mills  are  occupied  principally  in 
executing  orders  for  paper  of  a  particular  quality,  or  unusual  sizes. 

The  products  of  the  Philadelphia  mills  include,  besides  the  usual 
varieties  of  News  and  Book  Paper,  some  of  the  rarer  descrip- 
tions. The  Writing  and  Letter  Paper  at  least  of  one  manufacturer 
is  very  celebrated  ;  the  Bank-note  paper  of  another  received  the 
premium  of  superiority  from  the  Boston  Bank  Association,  in  1855  ; 
Plate  and  Lithographic  Paper  is  made  by  Messrs.  Magarge  ;  and 
paper  from  Straw  by  a  firm  in  Manayunk — the  Ledger  and 
Dollar  Newspaper  alone  consuming  about  50,000  reams,  or 


THE   BOOK   MANUFACTURE.  177 

24,000,000  sheets  per  annum.*  Pasteboards  and  card-boards 
for  printers,  paper-box  manufacturers,  and  others,  are  manufac- 
tured extensively — one  firm,  Messrs.  A.  M.  Collins  &  Co.,  making 
annually  5,000  gross,  or  upward  of  100,000  sheets,  and  believed 
to  be  superior  in  style  of  finish  to  any  other  in  the  Union. 

The  advantages  that  the  manufacturers  of  Paper  in  Philadelphia 
have,  including  cheap  coal,  superior  water,  a  first-rate  Paper- 
making  Machine  establishment,  and  cheap  supplies  of  raw  mate- 
rials, are  so  manifest,  that  no  better  locality  could  be  selected  for 
the  manufacture,  particularly  of  the  fine  kinds  of  Paper. 

6.     BOOKBINDING. 

Bookbinding  may  be  considered  both  as  an  Art  and  as  a 
manufacture.  As  an  Art,  it  was  practiced  two  thousand  years 
ago,  and  we  are  told  that  no  expense  was  deemed  by  some  too 
great  for  the  decoration  and  preservation  of  rare  manuscripts. 
Only  within  the  last  ten  years,  however,  has  ornamental  binding 
received  much  attention  in  the  United  States;  and  except  for 
the  superior  quality  of  Philadelphia  workmanship,  the  national 
reputation,  in  this  particular,  would  be  far  from  enviable.  The 
credit  of  American  Book-binding  was  saved,  both  at  the  London 
World's  Fair,  and  at  the  Crystal  Palace  in  New  York,  mainly  by 
the  favorable  specimens  sent  from  this  city.  There  are  now  estab- 
lishments in  Philadelphia  occupied  almost  exclusively  upon  Fine 
Art  binding  for  private  individuals,  and  largely  upon  orders  from 
New  York,  Albany,  and  Boston.  In  this  city,  if  nowhere  else 
in  the  country,  men  of  wealth  and  taste  can  procure  their  rare 
volumes  bound  in  accordance  with  the  true  principles  of  the  art — 
that  is,  to  adapt  the  style  of  the  covering  to  the  contents  of  the 
volume. 

*  A  resident  of  this  city,  Mr.  G.  A.  Shryock,  claims  to  have  been  the  first 
in  this,  or  any  other  country,  to  manufacture  by  machinery  Paper  and 
Boards  from  various  kinds  of  straw  and  grass.  The  discovery  of  straw  as 
a  material  for  Paper  was  patented  by  Col.  William  B.  Magraw,  of  Meadville, 
Crawford  County,  in  1828.  In  the  succeeding  year,  Mr.  Shryock  purchased 
a  cylinder  machine,  and  adapted  it  to  the  manufacture  of  Paper  from  this 
material,  and  his  success  was  noticed  in  the  American  and  European  jour 
nals  of  that  period. 
14 


178  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

As  a  manufacture,  modern  Book-binding  is  distinguished  for 
the  extent  to  which  machinery  has  been  employed,  and  the  con- 
sequent rapidity  of  production.  In  our  large  establishments,  oc- 
cupied principally  with  orders  from  Publishers  and  Publication 
Societies,  nearly  all  the  leading  processes  are  executed  by  ma- 
chines. Mechanism  is  applied  to  block-gilding,  blind-tooling, 
and  embossing ;  hydraulic  presses  are  used  instead  of  the  old 
wooden  screw-presses ;  Riehl's  cutting-machine  supersedes  the 
plow ;  cutting-tables,  with  shears,  are  now  used  for  squaring  and 
cutting  mill-boards  for  book-covers  ;  and  machines  have  recently 
been  invented  for  backing  and  finishing.  As  a  result,  1,000 
volumes  can  now  be  put  into  boards  in  ten  hours,  and  2,500 
volumes  are  with  some  an  average  day's  work,  in  busy  seasons. 
The  Binders  of  this  city  have  peculiar  advantages  in  being  able  to 
procure  the  requisite  materials  direct  from  manufactories  in  their 
midst.  The  very  best  Morocco  that  can  be  obtained  is  made  in 
this  city ;  Marble  paper,  of  unsurpassed  quality,  is  made  here ; 
and  Tar  boards  are  supplied  from  the  immediate  vicinity.  Messrs. 
GASKILL,  COPPER  &  FRY,  supply  the  best  Bookbinders'  tools  and 
ornamental  brass  work  used  in  New  York  and  Boston,  as  well  as 
in  this  city ;  and  the  whole  trade  looks  to  Philadelphia  for  the 
most  efficient  Bookbinders'  machinery.* 

Of  Marble  Paper,  Philadelphia  has  the  principal  manufactory 
in  this  country,  that  of  Mr.  CHARLES  WILLIAMS.  He  claims  to 
have  been  the  first  in  the  Union  whp  made  the  Antique  Dutch 
and  Drawn  patterns,  and  also  the  only  one  that  has  succeeded  in 
matching  the  celebrated  "Papier  de  Annonay,"  of  France;  and 
still  is  the  only  manufacturer  in  the  United  States  of  all  of  the 
English,  Dutch  and  French  patterns.  He  supplies  Boston,  New 

*  Book-binders'  Muslin  is  not  made  in  this  city,  and  we  believe  not  in  this 
country,  excepting  by  one  house,  Messrs.  N.  M.  ABBOTT  &  Co.,  of  New  York  city. 
This  house  is  entitled  to  very  great  credit  for  their  successful  and  persever- 
ing efforts  to  produce  an  article  of  American  manufacture,  fully  equal  in  nil 
respects  to  the  imported,  and  cheaper.  Their  sales  now  exceed  one  half  the 
entire  present  importation.  We  are  assured  by  practical  binders,  who  have 
thoroughly  tested  Messrs.  Abbott  &  Co.'s  muslins,  that  the  trade  would  find 
an  advantage  in  using  the  American  in  preference  to  the  foreign  article; 
and  we  trust  patriotism  and  good  sense  will  induce  them  to  heed  the  sug- 
gestion. This  volume  we  shall  order  to  be  bound  in  American  muslin. 


THE   BOOK    MANUFACTURE.  179 

York,  and  the  chief  cities  of  the  whole  Union  with  nine-tenths  of 
the  fine  papers  that  are  used  on  extra  work,  and  go  by  the  name 
of  English  and  French  paper.  "  There  is  no  manufacturer  in  this 
country,"  he  says,  "that  has  equaled  my  styles  of  work,  and  none 
that  has  even  matched  my  common  papers  for  durability  and  finish." 

The  binding  of  BLANK  BOOKS  is  a  distinct  but  important 
branch  of  the  general  trade.  In  the  manufacture  of  Account 
Books,  foreigners  acknowledge  that  Americans  excel  all  others ; 
and  those  who  are  conversant  with  the  best  workmanship  executed 
in  this  city,  will  acknowledge  that  our  makers  are  not  surpassed 
by  any.  Every  variety  and  description  of  Blank  Books  for 
merchants,  banks,  and  public  offices,  are  made  here,  from  the 
cheapest  to  those  distinguished  as  indestructible,  which  are  bound 
in  Russia,  paneled,  and  edged  with  brass,  varying,  in  full  sets, 
from  $75  to  $300.  The  leading  establishments  employ  the  most 
improved  machinery,  and  110  expense  is  spared  to  expedite  and 
cheapen  the  processes  of  manufacture.  One  enterprising  individ- 
ual recently  paid  $15,000  for  a  limited  monopoly  of  one  machine 
for  Ruling.  By  means  of  this  invention,  known  as  the  McAd- 
ams'  Ruling  Machine,  horizontal  and  vertical  lines,  in  red  and  blue 
inks,  are  ruled  on  both  sides  ef  the  paper  by  a  single  passage 
through.  Seventy-five  to  one  hundred  reams  may  thus  be  ruled 
per  day ;  while  eight  or  ten  reams  are  considered  rapid  work  by 
the  ordinary  hand-ruling  machine.  The  pens  used  in  the  McAd- 
ams'  invention  are  of  gold,  tipped  with  rhodium,  which  prevents 
wearing  of  the  points,  and  insures  uniform  and  unbroken  lines. 
It  is  estimated  that  these  pens  will  endure  six  years.  Any  variety 
of  width  of  heading  is  made  possible  by  an  improvement  in  lift- 
ing the  pens.  Another  invention,  in  general  use,  is  a  machine 
for  paging  Blank  Books,  introduced  but  a  few  years  ago.  The 
method  consists  in  the  simultaneous  application  of  numbered 
types  to  each  sides  of  the  sheet ;  and  so  great  is  the  working  ca- 
pacity of  the  machine,  that  it  is  capable  of  producing  thirty  or 
forty  thousand  impressions  per  day,  requiring  only  one  operator 
to  move  the  treadle.  Purchasers  now  generally  stipulate  that 
their  Blank  Books  shall  be  delivered  paged. 

The  business  of  Account  Bookbinding  and  Ruling,  in  this  city, 
amounts  to  about  $260,000  ;  while  the  entire  Bookbinding,  in- 


180  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

eluding  Blank  Books,  exceeds  a  million  of  dollars — as  nearly  as 
we  can  ascertain  it,  $1,210,000  ;  and  employs,  in  favorable  times, 
about  seven  hundred  males  and  one  thousand  females. 

6.    ENGRAVING. 

The  arts  of  Engraving  may  be  divided  into  two  principal 
classes — Engraving  in  Eelief,  of  which  Wood  Engraving  is  the 
principal  representative,  and  Engraving  in  Basso,  as  Line  engrav- 
ing, Mezzotinto  engraving,  engraving  in  Stipple  and  Aquatinta. 

Engraving  on  Wood  has  become  exceedingly  popular  within 
the  last  twenty  years,  as  a  means  of  illustrating  natural  or 
familiar  scenes.  So  great  has  been  the  demand  for  Wood 
Engraving,  that  the  art  in  many  places  has  degenerated  into  a 
mere  mechanical  trade.  But  in  Philadelphia,  fortunately,  there  is 
not  an  overbearing  demand  for  indifferent  styles  to  illustrate  cheap 
publications ;  and  consequently,  the  artists  have  been  employed 
in  branches  which  called  for  their  best  powers,  and  developed  the 
highest  capabilities  of  the  Art.  Government  reports,  Scientific 
works,  and  orders  from  individuals  other  than  Periodical  Pub- 
lishers, have  been  the  principal  sources  of  employment  to  the 
Wood  Engravers  in  Philadelphia.* 

*  Philadelphia  contains  so  many  names  of  celebrity,  as  Wood  Engravers, 
that  it  would  be  difficult  to  instance  any  as  special  representatives  of  the 
general  excellence.  We  shall  therefore  merely  refer  to  those  whose  Engrav- 
ings are  in  this  volume,  and  of  whose  merits  the  reader  can  judge. 

The  principal  firm  selected  is  that  of  BAXTER  &  HARLEY,  whose  engrav- 
ings may  be  known  by  the  mark.  The  establishment  occupied  by  them 
was  founded  by  Mr.  R.  S.  Gilbert,  for  some  time  the  only  Engraver  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  probably  the  best  in  the  country.  The  firm  subsequently 
included  Mr.  William  Gihon,  since  'deceased,  of  whom  Mr.  Baxter  was  the 
pupil,  and  is  the  successor.  Mr.  Harley  was  also  a  pupil  of  Mr.  Gihon. 
Mr.  Baxter  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  best  designers  in  the  city,  and  has  had 
a  large  experience,  and  been  peculiarly  successful  in  engraving  Anatomical 
subjects. — Wilson's  Anatomy,  Carpenter's  Physiology,  Gliddon's  Types  of 
Mankind,  &c.,  were  illustrated  by  this  firm,  and  are  fair  samples  of  the  ac- 
curacy with  which  they  execute  engravings  for  Medical  and  Scientific  works. 

Engraving  on  Pine  has  been  brought  to  great  perfection  by  Messrs.  Bax- 
ter &  Harley:  some  of  their  large  show-bills,  &c.,  are  really  works  of  Art. 

Other  of  the  Wood  Engravings  in  this  work  were  executed  by  Mr.  ED- 
WARD ROGERS,  an  enterprising  young  artist,  rapidly  rising  in  his  profession. 


THE   BOOK   MANUFACTURE.  181 

Line  Engraving  is  the  general  term  for  the  process  of  en  gray- 
ing on  the  two  metals  commonly  employed — Copper  and  Steel. 
The  manufacture  of  Bank  Notes  affords  occupation  to  a  large 
number  of  the  very  best  Engravers  on  Steel ;  but  aside  from  this, 
the  demand  for  Steel  Plates  in  this  city  has  called  into  existence 
several  important  establishments.  Philadelphia  now  contains  what 
is  believed  to  be  the  largest  Plate  Engraving  establishment  in  the 
United  States.  Several  line  engravings  in  this  work  were  exe- 
cuted by  SAMUEL  SARTAIN,  a  young  American  artist,  who  stands 
in  the  very  front  rank  of  his  profession. 

Mezzotinto  Engraving,  so  far  as  the  history  of  the  art  in  Amer- 
ica is  concerned,  is  inseparably  associated  with  the  name  of  JOHN 
SARTAIN,  of  this  city,  who  first  introduced  it  here  about  a  quarter 
of  a  century  ago,  during  more  than  half  of  which  period  he  was 
alone  in  the  practice.  In  his  hands  it  underwent  a  change  in  its 
application,  and  consequently  in  its  methods,  by  adapting  it  to 
the  production  of  small  book  embellishments,  for  which  it  had  not 
been  used  before.  From  the  broad  effects  of  large  framing  prints, 
it  was  forced  down  to  the  expression  of  the  most  minute  details, 
on  the  diminutive  scale  of  Pictorial  Books  ;  and  we  count  by  hun- 
dreds the  Steel  Plates  engraved  in  this  style  during  the  period 
referred  to,  all  the  product  of  one  prolific  hand.  The  facility  of 
its  execution,  its  inexpensiveness,  the  richness  and  softness  of  its 
effects,  all  tended  to  extend  its  popularity ;  and  its  use,  doubtless, 
hastened  the  diffusion  of  that  rapidly  growing  taste  for  prints  in 
this  country,  everywhere  observable. 

The  other  processes  of  Engraving  enumerated,  are — Engraving 

*  The  establishment  alluded  to  is  that  of  J.  M.  BUTLER,  in  Jayne's  Gran- 
ite Building.  We  extract  from  our  Reporter's  Notes: — "Mr.  Butler  has 
now  in  course  of  publication  Washington  at  Valley  Forge,  and  Franklin  be- 
fore the  Privy  Council,  in  Whitehall  Chapel,  London,  1774.  The  Painting  is 
by  C.  Schuessele,  Artist,  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  The  Engraving  is  being  exe- 
cuted by  Whitechurch,  one  of  the  best  English  Artists,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000. 
It  will  take  four  years  to  complete  it.  Hamilton,  the  Marine  Painter,  (for 
some  years  associated  with  Butler  in  designing),  is  now  making  illustrations 
for  Col.  Fremont's  Explorations." 


14* 


182  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

in  Stipple,  and  Aquatinta  Engraving.  Engraving  in  Stipple  is  a 
costly  method  of  Engraving,  seldom  used  except  in  portraiture. 
The  largest,  and  one  of  the  finest  Stipple  Portraits  ever  exe- 
cuted in  this  country,  is  a  copy  of  Gilbert  Stuart's  Washington, 
executed  by  Mr.  T.  B.  Welch,  of  this  city.  Aquatinta  Engraving 
is  a  secondary  method,  unsatisfactory  where  minute  and  accurate 
details  are  required.  d  V 

7.    LITHOGRAPHY. 

This  ornamental  art,  of  so  much  service  to  the  useful  arts,  is 
so  nearly  allied  to  Engraving,  that  it  might  be  treated  as  a  branch 
thereof — being,  in  fact,  Engraving  on  Stone,  or  Surface  Engraving. 
The  stone  used  possesses,  in  a  high  degree,  calcareous  qualities 
similar  to  limestone,  and  absorbs  to  a  certain  extent  the  oily  sub- 
stances that  are  used  to  give  the  drawings  sufficient  adhesiveness 
to  resist  the  friction  of  printing.  These  are  Lithographic  chalk 
and  Lithographic  ink.  They  are  composed  of  tallow,  virgin  wax, 
soap,  shellac,  and  colored  with  lamp-black.  The  principal  styles 
in  Lithography,  are  Linear  and  Crayon  Drawings,  transfers  on 
stone  from  steel  or  copper-plate  engravings,  wood-cuts,  or 
from  Lithographic  drawings  themselves. 

The  second  Lithographic  establishment  in  the  United  States, 
was  opened  in  Philadelphia  in  1828  ;  and  here  many  of  the  most 
important  processes  and  improvements  in  the  art  have  had  their 
origin.  Works  have  been  executed  here  that  would  do  credit  to 
the  artists  of  any  city  or  place  in  the  World.* 

•  In  illustration  of  the  correctness  of  this  assertion,  we  may  refer  to  plate 
XXI.  of  the  seventh  edition  of  Lieut.  Maury's  "Sailing  Directions,"  pub- 
lished by  Messrs.  E.  C.  &  J.  BIDDLE,  of  this  city,  for  the  U.  S.  Hydrograph- 
ical  Department.  The  plate  referred  to,  by  a  series  of  differently  colored 
lines — some  continuous  and  others  broken — extending  across  two  quarto 
pages,  exhibits  the  percentages  resulting  from  the  average  of  observations  for 
46,000  days,  of  fair  gales,  head  gales,  total  gales,  calms,  fogs,  and  thunder 
and  lightning,  met  with,  in  each  month  of  the  year,  in  every  five  degrees 
from  10°  to  75°  West  latitude,  along  Lieutenant  M.'s  proposed  track  for 
steamers  bound  from  America  to  England ;  and  also,  along  his  proposed 
homeward  track.  The  precision  required  both  in  the  engraving  and  in 
the  printing  of  this  plate  was  such  as  almost  defied  the  powers  of  li- 
thography ;  but  it  was  executed  to  the  satisfaction  of  Lieutenant  Maury, 


THE   BOOK   MANUFACTURE.  183 

There  are  now  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  Lithographic  presses 
in  operation  in  this  city. 

8.  MAPS.  Map  manufacturing,  it  is  believed,  is  conducted  on 
a  more  extensive  scale  in  Philadelphia  than  in  any  other  city  in 
the  Union.  One  establishment  alone  turns  out  twelve  hundred 
Maps  weekly.  Connected  with  it  are  two  Lithographic  Printing- 
offices,  having  twenty  presses  ;  coloring  rooms,  in  which  thirty-five 
females  are  employed ;  twenty  engravers  are  occupied  in  the  en- 
graving office,  and  sixteen  men  in  the  mounting  rooms.  Maps  of 

and  of  all  good  judges.  Again,  some  years  ago,  Messrs.  Lippincott  &  Co., 
published  an  Annual,  called  "The  Iris," having  chromo-lithographic  illustra- 
tions, representing  various  subjects  of  Indian  Life  and  Wild  Scenery, 
printed  in  eleven  colors.  This  volume  was  so  much  admired  in  England, 
that  the  Queen  ordered  a  dozen  copies  for  her  own  household,  expressing 
by  letter  to  the  agent  in  London,  her  admiration  of  the  manner  in  which 
the  book  was  illustrated,  and  saying,  "that  it  was  the  prettiest  book  she  had 
seen  from  America,  and  reflected  great  credit  on  the  city  of  Philadelphia." 

The  firm  who  executed  the  above  works  now  conduct  business  tinder  the 
style  of  P.  S.  DUVAL  &  SON.  The  senior  is  now,  we  believe,  the  oldest  es- 
tablished Lithographic  Printer  in  the  city.  Mr.  S.  C.  Duval,  the  son,  is 
also  an  accomplished  Lithographer,  having  just  completed  a  three  years' 
practice  in  some  of  the  principal  establishments  of  Paris.  Among  the 
numerous  works  recently  executed  by  this  firm,  we  might  mention  a  large 
and  beautiful  view  of  Baltimore,  in  1752,  printed  in  colors;  a  book  of  speci- 
mens for  Messrs.  Cornelius  &  Baker,  containing  Drawings  printed  in  colors 
of  the  principal  styles  of  Chandeliers  ;  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  plates  for 
a  Government  report  of  the  Pacific  Rail-road  and  Mexican  Boundary. 

The  art  of  Photographic  Drawing  on  Lithographic  Stone  has  been  at- 
tempted by  this  firm  with  probabilities  of  success.  The  process  is  simple, 
and  much  more  economical  than  drawing  on  stone. 

The  art  of  transferring  Plate  Engravings  to  stone,  of  so  much  importance 
in  the  publication  of  Maps,  Outline  Drawings,  &c.,  was  introduced,  it  is 
said,  into  this  city  by  Mr.  F.  BOUKQUIN,  who,  for  a  long  period,  occupied 
the  position  of  foreman  in  Mr.  Duval's  establishment.  To  this  day  he  has 
few  if  any  equals  in  the  art.  An  Isothermal  Map,  lithographed  by  him  for 
Blodgett's  Climatology,  is  equal  in  delicacy  and  accuracy  to  copper-plate. 
The  firm  with  which  he  is  connected,  Messrs.  F.  BOURQUIN,  &  Co.,  have 
executed  for  this  work  the  view  of  the  Bridesburg  Machine  Works. 

Another  Lithographic  establishment,  in  this  city,  includes  and  represents 
a  combination  of  master-artists.  We  refer  to  that  of  T.  LEONHARDT  &  Co., 
and  F.  MAEAS,  609  Chestnut  street.  The  duties  are  subdivided  thus : 

Mr.  THEODORE  LEONIIABDT,  whose  skill  as  a  Lithographer  is  well  known 


184  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

all  the  counties  in  Maine,  and  others  of  the  New  England  States, 
have  been  executed  in  this  city  ;  and  one  firm  in  Philadelphia  haa 
the  contract  for  making  a  Map  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in 
which  $50,000  has  already  been  expended.  The  product  amounts 
to  about  $400,000  annually. 

9.  ENVELOPES.  The  British  Post-office  Statistics  state,  that 
in  1850,  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  millions  of  letters  were 
posted,  and  of  this  large  number  three  hundred  millions  were  in- 
closed in  Envelopes.  In  this  city,  many  millions  of  letters  are 
mailed  annually ;  hence  it  will  be  seen,  that  the  manufacture  of 
Envelopes  must  necessarily  have  some  importance.  There  are 
now  four  establishments  engaged  in  the  manufacture,  the  largest 
having  five  machines  for  folding  and  gumming,  each  of  which  can 
turn  out  eighteen  thousand  Envelopes  a  day :  though,  of  course, 
the  full  power  is  seldom  exerted.  Not  only  plain,  but  embossed 
and  enameled  Envelopes  are  made ;  and  one  firm  makes  twenty 
sizes  and  styles. 

in  this  and  other  cities,  has  special  charge  of  the  Engraving  Department. 
He  gives  particular  attention  to  the  execution  of  Bonds,  Diplomas,  Certificates 
of  Deposit,  Checks,  Notes,  Drafts,  and  all  other  mercantile  work,  having  no 
superior  in  this  line.  His  productions  with  the  Ruling-machine  are  elegant 
in  design,  and  have  been  in  many  cases  pronounced  equal  to  copper. 

F.  MARAS,  who  has  had  twenty-two  years  experience  in  the  leading  es- 
tablishments of  Europe,  and  who  is  well  known  in  London  and  Paris  as  a 
first-class  artist,  personally  superintends  all  the  artistical  branches  and  the 
color  printing. 

Mr.  J.  H.  CAMP,  celebrated  as  a  practical  printer,  and  transferrer  from 
Stone,  Steel,  and  Copper  Plates,  leads  the  Printing  Department.  His  pro- 
ductions are  esteemed  perfect  by  the  principal  artists  ;  and  in  combination 
with  the  above-named  gentlemen,  contributes  largely  to  the  reputation  and 
excellence  of  these  establishments.  '  In  union  there  is  strength." 

Mr.  THOMAS  SINCLAIR  has  executed  some  very  fine  Lithographic  En- 
gravings for  the  Harpers  and  other  publishers;  and  Messrs.  WAGNER  and 
McGuidAN,  and  Mr.  ROSENTHAL,  have  had  a  good  share  of  Government 
and  other  work,  which  they  have  executed  in  a  masterly  style. 

Mrs.  BOWEN  continues  the  establishment  of  her  late  husband,  a  cel- 
ebrated Lithographic  Engraver  in  the  department  of  Natural  History ; 
\nd  M.  H.  TKAUBEL,  and  others,  execute  Lithographic  Engravings  of  great 
ixcellence. 


BOOTS   AND    SHOES.  185 

The  product  of  the  Book  Manufacture,  and  its  kindred  branches, 
is  stated  approximately  as  follows  : — 

Type-Metal,  Type  Founding,  and  Stereotyping,       -  $650,000 

Printing — Book  and  Job,  (including  Fancy  Printing,)     -  1,183,000 

Printing  Inks, -  160,000 

Paper,              1,250,000 

Book  Binding,  including  Blank  Books  and  Marble  Paper,        -        -  1,230,000 

Engraving — Wood  and  Steel,  and  Lithography,       ....  570,000 

Maps,      -                          .    .,   jro  ,{r,,,;  -        ...     ,>^i;or-T,>  400,000 

Fancy  Stationery  and  Envelopes,     -        -        -        -      ->.^..        .  ^  150,000 

Total, 1'y.r,  ;.jr-;0  gjjjf^'   $5,593,000 

V. 

Boots  and  Shoes. 

The  manufacture  of  Boots  and  Shoes  would  be  treated  by  Play- 
fair  as  a  subdivision  of  the  general  subject  of  Wearing  Apparel. 
Those  who  have  never  heard  of  the  machine,  invented  by  a  Penn- 
sylvanian,  which  will  peg  a  Boot  or  Shoe,  two  rows  on  each  side, 
in  three  minutes,  and  cut  its  own  pegs,  might  be  disposed  to  clas- 
sify the  trade  with  Stationery.  But  within  the  last  few  years,  so 
great  an  advance  has  been  made  in  the  science  of  pedology,  and  so 
many  improvements  have  been  made  in  the  mechanism  expediting 
the  manufacture,  that  it  is  entitled  to  distinct  and  separate  consider- 
ation ;  and,  as  respects  first-class  Boot-makers,  particularly  those 
of  Philadelphia,  there  is  now  neither  wit  nor  justice  in  compar- 
ing them  to  their  predecessors  in  the  time  of  Simon  of  Joppa, 
nor  in  ranking  them,  as  some  one  has  done,  among  the  great 
scourges  of  humanity. 

The  chief  seats,  in  the  United  States,  of  the  Wholesale  Manu- 
facture of  Boots  and  Shoes,  are  Lynn,  Mass.,  and  Philadelphia. 
The  former  makes  cheap,  common  work  its  specialty — the  latter, 
fine  Boots  and  Shoes,  particularly  Ladies'  Shoes.  The  former 
has  had  the  advantage  of  Boston  enterprise  in  scattering  broad- 
cast the  particulars  of  its  industry  ;  the  latter  has  produced  annu- 
ally an  equal  product  of  really,  though  not  nominally,  cheaper 
work  ;  but  has  taken  such  precautions  to  guard  the  secret  that  but 
few  persons  have  even  accidentally  heard  of  it.  Mr.  Edward 
Young  has  made  the  manufacture,  in  Philadelphia,  one  of  the 
subjects  of  thorough  investigation  for  this  volume,  and  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  his  report  exhibits  its  present  condition 


186  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

With  respect  to  the  reputation  of  Philadelphia  Shoes,  I  first 
heard  of  it  while  traveling  in  the  South.  I  noticed  that  a  Pe- 
tersburg retailer  offered  his  customers  '  Great  inducements ! 
Miles'  celebrated  Boots  only  eight  dollars  a  pair.'  As  I  had 
heard  of  Boots  in  New  England  for  something  less  than  that  per 
pair,  I  was  led  to  inquire  who  Mr.  Miles  was,  and  received  an  ac- 
count, which  was  amply  confirmed  when  I  recently  visited  his  es- 
tablishment on  Fourth  street.  An  inspection  of  his  work  profoundly 
impressed  me  with  the  sagacity  of  the  Petersburg  merchant. 

The  results  of  an  extended  personal  examination  and  inquiry 
into  the  manufacture  of  Boots  and  Shoes,  in  Philadelphia,  are 
these.  In  the  first  place,  the  quality  is  most  superior.  This  su- 
periority may  be  ascribed  in  part  to  the  advantage  which  the 
manufacturers  have  in  this  market  for  purchasing  leather  and 
skins — sole-leather,  calf,  goat,  and  sheep-skins  and  especially 
for  obtaining  morocco,  of  which  they  have  the  first  choice  from 
the  large  stock  made  in  this  city;— and  can  also  obtain  them  in 
such  quantities  as  they  desire.  Secondly,  to  the  skill  of  the 
workmen.  A  large  number  of  the  journeymen  are  foreigners, 
chiefly  Germans,  many  of  whom  are  first-class  workmen. 

Some  of  the  work  in  both  branches  excels  any  I  have  seen, 
of  either  European  or  American  make.  The  character  of  the 
work  may  be  judged  by  the  following  scale  of  prices,  paid  by 
the  best  houses  for  making — 

Men's  Dress  Boots — Fitting,    .....        75  cents. 
Crimping,          -        -        -        -        10       '* 
Bottoming,        -        -        -         -  $2  25       " 
Heeling,            ....        12      " 

Total, $3  22       " 

Ladies  fine  heel  Gaiters— Cutting,          -        -  -  3  cents. 

Binding,  Ac.,  -  -  33       " 

Making,          -        -  -  $1  00       " 

Total, $1  36       " 

There  are  about  7,000  men  employed,  equal  to   the  constant  lahor  of 

5,000— average  wages  $6  per  week  for  50  weeks,  or  $300  each,  $1,500,000 

2,000  females,  not  fully  employed,  averaging  $100  per  annum,  200,000 


Total  Wages, $1,700,000 

In  addition,  there  are  165  Sewing  Machines  in  constant  use. 


BOOTS   AND    SHOES. 


1ST 


Making  Men's  wear,  and  making  Women's  wear,  are  distinct 
branches ;  although  several  are  engaged  in  both,  having,  how- 
ever,  separate  establishments.  The  men's  men,  and  women's 
men,  as  the  workmen  are  distinguished,  have  separate  organiza- 
tions, and  neither  know  nor  mingle  with  each  other.  Which  is 
the  higher  caste  we  do  not  know — gallantry  would  say  the  women's 
men.  Besides,  they  are  the  most  numerous,  there  being  forty-two 
hundred  of  the  latter  to  twenty-eight  hundred  of  the  former. 
The  average  wages  is  about  the  same  in  each  branch — some  earn- 
ing but  $5  per  week,  while  superior  and  fast  workmen  obtain  $8 
to  $10,  and  occasionally  $12  per  week.  It  is  generally  known 
that  the  work  is  cut  in  the  establishment,  and  given  out  to  the 
men  who  work  at  their  homes. 

The  Statistics  of  the  Capital  and  Product  are  as  follows  : — 

Capital  invested  by  the  regular  manufacturers,         -         -         $1,650,000 

Product,  viz. : 

18  Manufacturers,  being  all  tbose  whose   annual  product 
exceeds  $50,000  per  annum,  make        - 


$1,689,000 


make  over 


11 

4 

9 

7 

2 

4 

20 

12 


$40,000 
30,000 
25,000 
20,000 
15,000 
14,000 
12,000 
10,000 
8,000 


per  annum, 


80  who  produce  annually  from  $3,000  to  7,000, 
average  $5,000  each,       •       ?b  orf    J*:Tr 
100  "  "  "  "         $2,500 

180  who  sell  to  dealers  over  and  above 

customer  work,  on  an  average,       1,000 


Made  in  Prison  and  other  Public  Institutions,  about     - 
"      "  Burlington,  N.  J.,  for  Phil'a  dealers,  at  least, 


$335,000 

330,000 

100,000 

180,000 

105,000 

28,000 

48,000 

200,000 

96,000 


400,000 
250,000 

180,000 


1,422,000 


830,000 

$3,941,000 

100,000 
100,000 


Total,  ,,.,4 $4,141,000 

The  amount  then  of  Boots  and  Shoes,  made  in  Philadelphia, 
exceeds,  it  will  be  seen,  four  millions  of  dollars  annually,  being 


188  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

more  in  value,  though  not  in  number  of  pairs,  than  the  whole 
production  of  Lynn,  where  shoes  are  supposed  to  grow  sponta- 
neously. In  addition  to  these,  there  are  a  large  number  whose 
operations,  though  in  the  aggregate  important,  cannot  easily  be 
ascertained.  They  are  known  by  a  term,  more  expressive  than 
euphonious,  "garret  bosses,"  who  employ  from  one  to  twelve  men 
each ;  and  having  but  little  capital,  make  Boots  and  Shoes  in 
their  own  rooms,  and  sell  them  to  jobbers  and  retailers  in  small 
quantities  at  low  rates,  for  cash.  One  retailer,  who  sells  $20,000 
worth  per  annum,  buys  three  fourths  of  his  stock  from  these  makers. 

The  manufacture  of  this  article,  in  Philadelphia,  owing  to  supe- 
rior facilities,  could  be  greatly  extended  if  the  jobbers  had  more 
of  the  amor  patrice,  and  would  purchase  Philadelphia-made  work 
instead  of  the  Eastern  made,  the  sales  of  which  in  this  city  annually 
amount  to  nearly  ten  millions  of  dollars  ;  but,  unfortunately,  the 
latter  affords  more  profit.  As  consumers,  too,  we  are  not  blame- 
less ;  for  were  we  willing  to  pay  a  remunerative  price  for  Phila- 
delphia work,  instead  of  a  dollar  or  two  for  Yankee-made,  which 
appear  to  be  leather-soled,  but  which  two  weeks  wear  may  dis- 
cover to  be  paper,  this  branch  of  industry  would  be  doubled. 
Recently,  some  efforts  have  been  made  to  compete  with  the  East- 
ern in  price,  at  the  same  time  excelling  them  in  quality.  One 
maker  in  particular,  with  great  tact  has  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  this  branch,  and  has  been  eminently  successful  in  selling  a 
better  article  at  the  same  price  as  the  best  Eastern  Boots  and 
Shoes.  As  a  specimen,  his  leather  Boots  for  women,  at  $1,  is 
superior  to  the  Eastern  made  at  the  same  price — with  the  lower 
qualities,  say  at  90  cents,  he  does  not  compete. 

At  another  establishment,  I  noticed  a  very  superior  ar- 
ticle of  grained  hunting  Boots,  made  of  Pennsylvania  leather, 
blacked  on  the  grain  side.  Being  tanned  with  oak-bark,  the  leather 
is  more  pliable,  and  the  Boots  are  almost  impervious  to  water. 
They  are  well  suited  to  the  West  and  South,  where  the  hunter 
has  to  wade  through  water. 

Since  the  introduction  of  Sewing  Machines,  the  manufacture 
of  Gaiter  uppers  has  become  a  distinct  branch,  and  gives  em- 
ployment to  hundreds  of  females. 

The  entire  trade  of  Philadelphia  in  Boots  and  Shoes,  including 


BRASS   AND    COPPER    MANUFACTURES.  189 

City  manufacture  and  Eastern  work,  is  stated  approximately  at 
-fifteen  millions  of  dollars. 

VI. 

Brass  and  Copper  Manufactures. 

Of  Brass  there  are  two  principal  varieties,  distinguished  as  Yei- 
low  and  Red  Brass.  Yellow  Brass  is  composed  of  seventy  parts 
of  copper,  and  thirty  of  zinc  ;  and  Red  Brass  is  produced  by  using 
not  more  than  twenty  per  cent,  of  zinc.  Though  these  are  the  pro- 
portions generally  observed,  manufacturers  in  many  instances  adopt 
special  precautions  to  render  the  alloy  homogeneous.  In  Philadel- 
phia, it  is  usual  for  the  workers  in  brass  to  procure  the  materials 
and  compound  their  own  metal — the  manufacture  of  Pig  Brass,  as 
a  general  rule,  being  limited  to  inferior  qualities,  made  from  scraps 
and  filings  from  the  shops.  There  are  at  least  four  concerns  in 
Philadelphia  engaged  in  this  branch  of  the  business,  and  known 
as  brass  smelters  and  refiners. 

The  uses  and  applications  of  Brass  are  so  numerous,  that 
while  its  manufactures  are  extremely  important,  it  is  very  diffi- 
cult to  trace  them  in  their  details.  In  the  production  of  orna- 
mental brass-work,  and  especially  in  that  department  distinguished 
as  Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and  Gas  Fixtures,  the  manufacturers 
of  Philadelphia  are  declared,  by  the  best  foreign  judges,  to  have 
no  superiors  in  the  world.  (See  LAMPS,  &c.)  The  same  may  be 
said  of  those  who  convert  it  into  various  Military,  Odd-Fellows, 
Firemen's,  and  Theatrical  Ornaments,  and  other  light  and  artis- 
tic forms.  At  one  establishment,  that  of  Samuel  Croft,  Sheet 
Brass  is  made  quite  extensively,  though  less  so  than  we  should 
think  the  demand  would  justify.  Bells  of  every  description,  from 
the  smallest  to  a  full  chime,  are  made  by  one  firm  extensively,  and 
by  three  others  to  some  extent.  Several  foundries  are  chiefly 
devoted  to  making  castings  in  brass,  of  every  kind  of  article  that 
may  be  ordered,  from  the  largest  to  the  smallest,  either  for  brass- 
workers  and  finishers  who  finish  up  the  foundry  products,  or  for  use 
in  connection  with  other  manufactures.  Brass  is  used  largely  by  the 
manufacturers  of  Marine  Engines  and  Locomotives,  and  in  Ship- 
work.  Castings  of  this  description  are  supplied  by  the  founders 
to  a  large  amount ;  while  many  of  the  engine  and  propeller 
15 


190  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

builders  have  Brass  foundries  as  a  part  of  their  works.  An- 
other form  in  which  Brass  is  largely  used,  in  connection  with 
steam  apparatus,  is  the  manufacture  of  Gauges,  £c.  One 
brass-founder,  Mr.  M.  A.  Dodge,  gives  special  attention  to  mould- 
ing Steam  and  Water  Gauges  for  boilers,  and  oil-cups  of  peculiar 
construction,  for  Locomotive  and  Steam-Engines.  Messrs.  Hook 
&  Pritchard  are  engaged  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of 
Brass  Boxes,  or  Composition  Bearings,  for  cars,  &c.  One  firm 
in  Kensington  make,  yearly,  many  tons  of  Composition  Nails  and 
Spikes,  for  copper  sheathing  and  other  copper  work ;  besides 
Rudder  Braces,  Pintles,  Dove  Tails,  Side  Lights,  Ventilators, 
Port  Hinges,  and  other  ship-joiners'  castings,  and  Castings  for 
machinery  generally — the  two  branches  constituting  their  prin- 
cipal business.  They  make  besides  Bells  of  all  sizes,  and  Carriage 
and  Harness  Mountings,  &c.  Brass  Gun  Mountings  constitute  a 
principal  item  in  the  business  of  one  shop ;  and  another  is  occu- 
pied principally  in  producing  Brass  Tubing,  or  tubes  for  Philo- 
sophical, Optical,  Mathematical,  and  other  instruments,  as  Teles- 
copes, Spy-glasses,  Cameras,  Air-pumps,  &c.,  &c.,  requiring  the 
same  nice  polish  interiorly  as  externally.  Hose  Screws  and 
Branch  Pipes,  (for  house  and  garden  hose),  employ,  either  wholly 
or  in  part,  another  manufacturer.  Brass  Book  mountings  and  or- 
naments, as  Locks,  Clasps,  Bands,  &c.,  of  superior  quality,  are 
made  by  several  different  persons,  and  form  the  exclusive  busi- 
ness of  at  least  one  manufacturer.  Castors,  for  furniture,  are 
made  to  a  limited  amount  by  at  least  three  persons,  and  of  excel- 
lent quality ;  but  they  complain  that  our  dealers  do  not  sustain 
our  own  manufacturers. 

Besides  four  Lamp  and  Chandelier  establishments,  there  are 
several  smaller  ones,  that  make  Lamps  of  every  variety  for  do- 
mestic use,  chiefly  of  brass  ;  and  for  the  consumption  of  the  various 
patent  oils,  and  other  illuminating  substances,  besides  common 
oils,  &c.  Moulds  of  great  variety,  as  for  dentists,  bottle-makers, 
and  for  pressing  Sperm  or  Adamantine  candles,  for  pattern-mak- 
ers, confectioners,  &c.,  are  made  by  several.  Locks,  Keys,  Door 
Plates  and  Knobs,  Hinges,  Fenders,  Andirons,  Fire  Irons,  Candle- 
sticks ;  and  the  nameless  varieties  of  house-keeping  articles  in 
brass,  as  Pans,  Kettles,  Coal-hods,  &c.,  are  nearly  or  quite  all 


BRASS   AND    COPPER    MANUFACTURES.  191 

made  here  to  some  extent  at  least.  But  the  distinctive  feature  of 
this  department  of  industry,  as  respects  this  city,  is  the  manu- 
facture of  Brass  Cocks.  This  branch  is  said  to  have  originated 
in  Philadelphia ;  and  those  who  are  now  engaged  in  it — and  there 
are  several  quite  extensively — occupy  a  prominent  and  leading 
position. 

The  "  Philadelphia  Brass  Works,"  WILER  &  Moss,  proprietors, 
are  occupied  largely  in  the  manufacture  of  Stair  Hods.  This 
firm,  it  is  believed,  are  more  extensively  engaged  in  this  branch 
than  any  other  in  the  "United  States.  In  addition  to  Stair  Rods, 
and  their  appendages,  they  manufacture  Brass  Mouldings,  Brass 
Nails,  Trunk  Bands  of  all  widths,  Step  Plates,  Curtain  Tubing, 
Curtain  Wires,  &c.,  of  every  description.  They  are  also  the 
patentees  of  a  cheap  and  useful  article  for  lighting  gas,  known  as 
the  "  Patent  Taper  Holder,"  of  which  they  have  already  sold  to 
an  amount  exceeding  $10,000.  The  Patent  Holder  is  made  of 
brass,  rolled  like  a  tube,  with  a  turned  handle  ;  and  so  constructed, 
that  the  wax-taper  is  slipped  in,  or  thrown  out,  at  pleasure.  In 
these  works  56,000  Ibs.  of  sheet  brass,  and  fO,000  Ibs.  of  hoop 
iron,  were  consumed  during  last  year. 

The  miscellaneous  articles  in  brass,  made  in  Philadelphia,  it 
will  thus  be  perceived,  are  quite  numerous;  nevertheless,  there  cer- 
tainly is  room  for  very  considerable  extension  of  the  manufacture. 
Brass  Wire  is  not  made,  to  our  knowledge  ;  besides  many  other 
articles  that  form  prominent  items  in  the  industry  of  Waterbury, 
Conn.  The  locality  we  think  especially  worthy  the  attention  of  the 
enterprising.  Intermingled  as  Brass  work  is  with  Iron  Founding, 
Gas  Fitting,  Plumbing,  &c.,  scarcely  a  satisfactory  approxima- 
tion can  be  made  to  the  annual  product ;  but  the  mean  of  esti- 
mates, by  experienced  men,  gives  a  result  of  $830,000  per  annum. 

COPPER,  like  Brass,  is  applied  to  a  great  variety  of  purposes — 
its  principal  use  being  the  manufacture  of  Brewing  Coppers, 
Sugar  Cans,  Teaches,  Clarifiers,  Evaporators,  and  every  article 
used  for  making  or  refining  Sugar;  Stills  for  turpentine,  alcohol, 
&c. ;  Pumps,  Dye  Kettles,  Mineral  Water  Apparatus,  Bath  Heat- 
ers, Drying  Machines  for  manufacturers.  It  is  also  used  largely 
by  Locomotive  and  Stationary  Engine  builders,  and  by  Plumbers 
and  Gas  Fitters ;  and  for  lining  Bath  Tubs,  and  as  a  base  for 


192  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Tinning,  &c.  The  department  of  Coppersmithing,  in  which  the 
manufacturers  of  Philadelphia  excel,  is  the  production  of  heavy 
Copper  work  for  Sugar  Refiners  and  Sugar  Planters.  It  is  be- 
lieved, that  at  least  one  of  the  establishments  in  this  branch  is 
unequaled  in  extent  and  quality  of  workmanship  by  any  similar 
one  in  the  Union.  The  annual  product  in  Copper,  in  Philadel- 
phia, is  about  '$400,000  per  annum. 

VII. 
Brewing— Ale,  Porter,  and  Lager  Beer. 

ALE    AND    PORTER. 

"Beer,"  says  the  author  of  the  "  Picture  of  Philadelphia,  in 
1811,"  whom  we  have  before  quoted,  "was  brewed  in  Philadelphia 
for  several  years  before  the  Revolutionary  war ;  and  soon  after 
peace,  the  more  substantial  Porter  was  made  by  the  late  Mr. 
Robert  Hare.  Until  within  three  or  four  years  the  consumption 
of  that  article  has  greatly  increased,  and  is  now  the  table-drink  of 
every  family  in  easy  circumstances.  The  quality  of  it  is  truly  ex- 
cellent :  to  say  that  it  is  equal  to  any  of  London,  the  usual  stand- 
ard of  excellence,  would  undervalue  it,  because,  as  it  regards 
wholesome  qualities  and  palatableness,  it  is  much  superior  ;  no 
other  ingredients  entering  into  the  composition  than  malt,  hops, 
and  pure  water.  A  fair  experiment  has  shown,  that  even  so  far 
back  as  1790,  Philadelphia  Porter  bore  the  warm  climate  of  Cal- 
cutta, and  came  back  uninjured.  In  1801,  orders  were  given  by 
the  merchants  of  Calcutta,  after  tasting  some  of  it  taken  out  as 
stores,  for  sixty  hogsheads.  Within  a  few  years  Pale  Ale  of  the 
first  quality  was  brewed,  and  justly  esteemed — being  light, 
sprightly,  and  free  from  that  bitterness  which  distinguishes 
Porter." 

The  reputation  of  Philadelphia  Ale  has  but  strengthened  with 
the  lapse  of  years;  and  at  the  present  time  the  Malt  liquors  made 
in  Philadelphia  take  precedence  in  every  market  in  the  Union. 
The  qualities  for  which  they  are  distinguished  are  purity,  bril- 
liancy of  color,  richness  of  flavor,  and  non-liability  to  deteriora- 
tion in  warm  countries — qualities,  the  result  in  part  of  the  pecu- 
liar characteristics  of  the  Schuylkill  water — in  part  of  the  intelli- 
gence, care  and  experience  of  our  brewers,  conjoined  to  the  use 


BREWING.  193 

of  apparatus  possessing  all  the  best  modern  improvements  made  in 
England  and  in  this  country. 

The  following  is  an  outline  of  the  processes  adopted  in  the  man- 
ufacture : — 

Preparatory  to  the  process  of  Brewing,  the  barley  is  converted 
into  malt.  This  method  consists  of  four  processes,  viz. :  steep- 
ing, couching,  flooring,  and  kiln-drying.  Great  care  is  taken, 
and  no  expense  is  spared,  to  secure  the  best  grain  from  this  and 
the  adjoining  States.  The  grain  is  first  steeped  in  water  con- 
tained in  wooden  or  stone  cisterns ;  the  water  being  frequently 
drawn  off  and  a  fresh  quantity  supplied,  to  cleanse  the  grain. 
When  sufficiently  saturated  to  admit  of  its  being  crushed  be- 
tween the  thumb  and  finger,  it  is  then  drained  of  the  water,  and 
spread  over  a  cement  floor  to  the  depth  of  six  or  eight  inches, 
and  left,  with  occasional  turning,  until  it  sprouts. 

In  the  process  of  germination,  a  peculiar  azotized  substance  is 
evolved,  called  diastase,  which  acts  as  a  powerful  agent  in  con- 
verting starch  into  dextrine,  and  ultimately  into  saccharine.  The 
maltster  continues  to  turn  the  barley,  at  intervals,  so  as  to  pro- 
duce a  uniform  growth,  upon  the  floors.  When  the  barley  has 
sufficiently  sprouted,  a  stage  determined  by  the  sweet  taste  and 
the  chalky  appearance  of  the  inside  of  the  grain,  it  is  dried  rapidly, 
in  order  to  retain  the  starchy  matter,  which,  in  a  long  growth  of  the 
sprouts  and  rootlets,  would  be  wasted.  This  drying  is  done  in  kilns ; 
here  the  heat  destroys  the  germ  of  the  grain,  expels  the  moisture, 
and  converts  it  into  a  sweet  and  friable  grain  called  malt.  It  is 
then  passed  through  a  cylindrical  sieve,  separating  it  from  all 
stones,  beans,  straws,  &c. ;  and  subsequently  crushed  by  rollers. 
When  the  brewing  is  commenced,  the  ground  malt  is  conducted 
into  a  large  vat,  infused  in  heated  water,  and  thoroughly  mixed 
by  a  machine  adapted  for  the  purpose :  there  it  remains  at  rest 
until  the  starch  is  converted  into  sugar,  and  then  drained  into 
boiling  coppers,  additional  water  being  sprinkled  upon  the  grain 
until  the  saccharine  is  extracted,  which  is  ascertained  by  an  instru- 
ment called  the  Saccharoraeter.  In  these  boiling  coppers  the  clear 
extract,  or  wort,  is  boiled  with  hops,  for  the  purpose  of  imparting 
to  it  an  aromatic,  bitter  flavor,  and  the  property  of  keeping  with- 
out injury.  This  accomplished,  it  is  drained  into  shallow  vessels, 
15* 


194  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

and  cooled  (by  an  apparatus  called  a  Refrigerator),  to  the  tem- 
perature at  which  the  brewer  desires  the  fermentation  to  commence. 
Thence  it  is  conducted  into  a  vat,  and  mixed  with  yeast  of  a 
previous  brewing,  where  the  fermentation  is  carried  on.  This 
process  continues  from  three  to  five  days,  during  which  the  tem- 
perature of  the  fermenting  body  rises,  and  a  rapid  disengagement 
of  carbonic  acid  takes  place.  To  prevent  the  creation  of  too 
high  a  temperature,  which  would  cause  acidity  of  the  worts,  it  is 
racked  off  from  the  fermenting  vats  into  puncheons  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  gallons  capacity,  where 
it  purges  itself  of  its  yeast.  The  fefrnentation  being  now  com- 
pleted, and  the  Ale  or  Porter  perfectly  clear,  the  sediment  or 
yeast  remaining  settles  at  the  bottom  ;  it  is  racked  off  from  the 
puncheon  into  casks  of  convenient  size  for  use,  or  stored  in  large 
cedar  vats  for  future  consumption. 

There  are  now  nine  extensive  Brewers  of  Ale  and  Porter  in 
Philadelphia,  viz.  :  MASSEY,  COLLINS  &  Co.,  FREDERICK  G-AUL, 
ROBERT  SMITH,  W.  C.  RUDMAN,  ROBERT  NEWLIN,  GRAY  & 
STALEY,  DITHMAR  &  BUTZ,  W.  B.  TAYLOR,  and  JAMES  MOORE. 
The  oldest  Brewery  in  this  city  is  probably  that  upon  the 
corner  of  Sixth  and  Carpenter  streets,  which  was  built  about 
one  hundred  years  ago,  by  William  Gray,  a  native  of  Philadel- 
phia. The  most  noteworthy  Brewery  is  probably  that  belonging 
to  MASSEY,  COLLINS  &  Co.,  situated  at  the  northwest  corner  of 
Tenth  and  Filbert  sts. ;  it  was  originally  erected  by  the  farmers  of 
Chester  and  Delaware  counties,  Pa.,  and  purchased  from  them  by 
the  Brewers'  Association  of  Philadelphia  ;  they  subsequently  sold 
the  establishment  to  M.  L.  Dawson,  a  member  of  the  Association, 
and  whose  ancestors  had  been  prominent  Brewers  for  a  period  of 
eighty  years.  Poultney  &  Massey,  the  predecessors  of  the  pres- 
ent firm,  in  the  year  1855,  greatly  enlarged  the  buildings,  which 
have  recently  been  increased  by  the  present  owners.  The  build- 
ings, as  now  erected,  form  a  hollow  square  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  each  way,  making  an  extent  of  buildings  of  six  hundred 
feet,  seven  stories  in  height,  with  extensive  cellars  and  vaults 
underneath  the  whole,  eighteen  feet  in  depth,  which  are  furnished 
with  large  vats  containing  from  two  hundred  to  four  hundred  bar- 
rels each,  and  sufficient  for  the  storage  of  ten  thousand  barrels  of 


BREWING.  195 

Ale  and  Porter.  Their  Brewing  Apparatus  has  been  put  up  within 
the  past  three  years,  of  the  latest  and  most  approved  description  ; 
comprising  large  Mash  Tubs,  capable  of  brewing  nine  hundred 
bushels  of  malt  daily  ;  boiling  Coppers  heated  by  means  of  steam- 
pipes;  large  Coolers,  and  Refrigerators,  and  Fermenting  Tuns, 
the  capacity  of  the  latter  being  forty-five  thousand  gallons.  At- 
tached to  the  Brewery  are  malt-houses,  which  are  designed  for 
the  malting  of  one  hundred  thousand  bushels  of  barley.  From 
seventy-five  to  one  hundred  men  are  employed  about  the  estab- 
lishment. The  firm  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
Pale  and  Amber  Ales,  and  Porter,  for  draught  and  bottling; 
Brown  Stout,  and  XX  Ale,  for  all  the  markets  upon  the  coast, 
from  Maine  to  Louisiana,  also  for  the  numerous  markets  of  the 
West  Indies  and  South  America. 

The  greatest  cleanliness  is  required  in  this  establishment ; 
every  cask  returned  to  the  Brewery  being  unheaded,  scalded,  and 
scrubbed  with  hickory  brooms  by  hand ;  and  lime  is  used  fre- 
quently to  purify  the  utensils. 

The  capital  invested  in  the  Brewing  of  Ale  and  Porter  is 
$1,500,000,  and  the  annual  product  exceeds  one  million  of  dollars. 

2.    LAGER    BEER. 

The  manufacture  of  Lager  Beer  was  introduced  into  this 
country  about  eighteen  years  ago,  from  Bavaria,  where  the  process 
of  brewing  it  was  kept  secret  for  a  long  period.  Its  reception 
was  not  a  very  cordial  or  welcome  one  ;  and  about  twelve  years 
elapsed  before  its  use  became  at  all  general.  Within  the  last  few- 
years,  however,  the  consumption  has  increased  so  enormonsly> 
not  merely  among  the  German  population,  but  among  the  nativesf 
that  its  manufacture  forms  an  important  item  of  productive  in- 
dustry. The  superior  quality  of  that  made  in  Philadelphia  has, 
no  doubt,  increased  the  demand,  and  by  diminishing  to  some  ex- 
tent the  use  of  fiery  liquor,  has  effected  partial  good.*  Lager 

*The  following  report  by  "Our  Reporter,"  contains  some  important  facts. 

"Sia :  You  entrusted  the  investigation  of  the  Lager  Beer  manufacture  to 
one  who  wants  every  essential  qualification  for  the  task.  I  can  neither 
speak  German,  eat  Sauerkraut,  nor  drink  Lager.  Before  undertaking  the 
commission,  T  wished  to  ascertain  for  my  own  satisfaction,  without  practical 


196  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

signifies  "kept,"  or  "on  hand;"  and  Lager  Beer  is  equivalent 
to  "  beer  in  store."  It  can  be  made  from  the  same  cereals  from 
which  other  malt  liquors  are  made ;  but  barley  is  the  grain  gen- 
erally used  in  this  country.  The  processes  resemble  those  of 
brewing  Ale  and  Porter,  with  some  points  of  difference,  and  the 
brewing  generally  forms  a  separate  and  distinct  business. 

experiment,  'whether  Lager  Beer  will  intoxicate.  I  procured  the  evidence 
before  the  King's  County  Circuit  Court  (Brooklyn),  and  the  following  sy- 
nopsis of  the  testimony  on  the  part  of  the  defense  satisfied  me,  at  least,  if 
not  the  Jury.  One  German  testified,  'that  he  had  on  one  occasion  drank 
fifteen  pint  glasses  before  breakfast  in  order  to  give  him  an  appetite.'  An- 
other, Mr.  Philip  Kock,  testified  that  '  once,  upon  a  bet,  he  drank  a  keg  of 
Lager  Beer,  containing  seven  and  a  half  gallons,  or  thirty  quarts,  within 
two  hours,  and  felt  no  intoxicating  effects  afterward.  He  frequently  drank 
sixty,  seventy,  eighty,  and  ninety  pint  glasses  in  a  day — did  it  as  a  usual 
thing  when  he  was  "flush."  '  Others  testified  to  drinking  from  twenty  to  fifty 
glasses  in  a  day.  One  witness  testified  to  seeing  a  man  drink  one  hundred 
and  sixty  pint  glasses  in  a  sitting  of  three  or  four  hours,  and  walked  straight. 
Dr.  James  R.  Chilton,  chemist,  testified  to  analyzing  Lager  Beer,  and  found 
it  to  contain  three  and  three  quarters  to  four  per  cent,  of  alcohol,  and  did 
not  think  it  would  intoxicate  unless  drank  in  extraordinary  quantities.  'He 
had  analyzed  cider  and  found  it  to  contain  nine  per  cent,  alcohol ;  claret, 
thirteen  per  cent. ;  brandy,  fifty  per  cent.  ;  Madeira  wine,  twenty  per  cent. ; 
and  Sherry  wine,  eighteen  per  cent.' 

"  Lager  Beer  was  first  introduced  into  Philadelphia  in  1840,  by  a  Mr. 
Wagner,  who  afterward  left  the  city.  It  was  a  lighter  article  than  that  now 
used.  The  first  who  made  the  real  Lager  was  Geo.  Manger,  better  known  as 
'  Big  George,'  who,  in  October,  1844,  had  a  small  kettle  in  one  corner  of  the 
premises  still  occupied  by  him  in  New  street,  above  Second.  The  beer  used 
in  the  winter  is  lighter,  and  may  be  drawn  five  or  six  weeks  after  brewing; 
but  the  real  Lager  is  made  in  cold  weather,  has  a  greater  body — that  is, 
more  malt  and  hops  are  used — and  is  first  drawn  about  the  first  of  May.  It 
is  much  improved  by  age  and  by  keeping  in  a  cool  place.  When  first  drawn 
it  is  five  months  old  ;  and  as  it  is  usually  made  in  December,  it  is  ten  months 
old  when  the  last  is  drawn.  The  vaults  are  probably  the  most  interesting 
'  sights'  connected  with  the  business.  The  firm  that  constructed  the 
first  vault  is  that  of  ENOEL  &  WOLF — a  firm  that  ranks  among  the  most 
extensive,  accommodating,  and  enterprising  of  our  brewers.  The  vaults 
are  built  in  the  vicinity  of  Lemon  Hill,  near  the  Schuylkill,  and  consist  of 
solid  stone  exterior  walls.  These  are  subdivided  by  brick  partitions 
into  cellars  or  vaults  of  about  twenty  by  forty  feet,  and  communicate 
with  each  other  by  a  door  large  enough  to  admit  a  puncheon;  in  this 


BREWING.  197 

There  are  now  about  thirty  brewers  of  Lager  Beer  in  Philadel- 
phia, having  a  capital  employed  of  $1,200,000. 

The  Statistics  of  the  entire  Brewing  business  in  Philadelphia, 
for  1857,  are  as  follows  : — 

Product. 

Ale,  Porter,  and  Brown  Stout,  170,000  barrels,  averaging  $6,       -  $1,020,000 

Lager  Beer,  180,000,                                     "                "          $6,       -  1,080,000 

Other  Beer,  say ....  200,000 

Total,      -.   (",K-,J!C^  >j3fohS-9*13[   .wiohfi        -  $2,300,000 

Raw  Material  consumed,  viz. : 

Barley  or  Malt,  750,000  bushels,  at  $1.40,          -     "*-;    ...    *'.'"  ^  1,050,000 

Hops,  800,000  Ibs,  at  15  cents,             -         -        -        -;    R?ITfirv  120,000 

Total,       -     ''-'"'-     '    -      "-.*?-       •{       ~t    -•'        $1>170,000 

The  capital  invested  in  Ale,  Porter,  and  Lager  Beer  brewing, 
including  Malting,  is  $3,050,000;  being,  it  will  be  perceived,  a 

is  a  smaller  door  or  aperture,  about  two  feet  square,  barely  sufficient  to 
allow  the  passage  of  a  keg. 

"After  the  brewing  has  commenced,  say  in' December,  unless  cold  weather 
occur  earlier,  the  most  remote  cellar  or  vault  is  filled — the  ground  tier, 
consisting  of  large  casks,  usually  three  rows,  is  placed  on  skids  or  sleepers 
perhaps  a  foot  from  the  ground,  the  rows  far  enough  apart  to  permit  a  man 
to  walk  between.  On  these  two  rows  of  casks  are  placed ;  and  above  these, 
if  the  vault  is  high  enough,  one  row  of  smaller  casks  or  kegs  are  stowed. 
The  other  vaults  are  filled  in  like  manner.  After  each  is  filled,  the  door  is 
closed,  and  straw,  tan,  and  other  non-conductors  are  placed  to  keep  out  the 
external  heated  air  of  summer.  The  vaults  are  ventilated,  and  the  tempe- 
rature kept  as  low  as  possible.  Should  it  exceed  8°  Reamur,  or  50  Fahren- 
heit, the  beer  spoils.  One  only  is  opened  at  a  time. 

"  Messrs.  Engel  &  Wolf,  before  referred  to,  have  seven  vaults,  in  five  of 
which  50,350  cubic  feet  were  cut  out  of  solid  rock.  The  bottom  of  the  vault  ia 
about  forty-five  feet  below  ground.  This  firm  have  an  agency  in  New  Or- 
leans, and  sell  to  nearly  all  the  South,  including  Texas. 

"  One  of  the  peculiarities  of  Lager  Beer  is  the  flavor  imparted  to  it  by 
the  casks.  The  casks,  previous  to  use,  have  their  interior  completely  coated 
with  resin  ;  this  is  done  by  pouring  a  quantity  of  melted  resin  into  the  cask 
while  the  head  is  out,  and  igniting  it.  After  it  has  been  in  a  blaze  for  a  few 
minutes,  the  head  is  put  in  again,  which  extinguishes  the  blaze,  but  the 
resin  still  remains  hot  and  liquid ;  the  cask  is  then  rolled  about,  so  as  to 
coat  every  part  of  the  interior  with  it ;  any  resin  remaining  fluid  is  poured 
out  through  the  bung-hole.  This  resin  imparts  some  of  its  pitchy  flavor 
to  the  beer." 


198  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

larger  amount  in  proportion  to  the  product  than  probably  in  any 
other  business.  This  arises  from  the  necessity  of  occupying  large 
plots  of  very  valuable  ground,  from  the  extent  of  the  buildings, 
and  from  the  great  number  of  vats  and  casks  required.  The 
casks  alone,  exclusive  of  vats,  in  use  by  Philadelphia  brewers, 
cost  $320,000. 

VIII. 
Bricks,  Fire-Bricks,  Pottery,  &c. 

The  objects  of  which  Clay  is  the  principal  raw  material  are 
exceedingly  varied  in  their  uses,  as  well  as  in  appearance ;  and 
range  from  the  least  ornamental  to  nearly  the  highest  in  the 
department  of  Art — from  Bricks  to  Porcelain,  from  a  Clay  Fur- 
nace to  a  Terra-Cotta  Vase.  Commencing  with  the  least  artistic, 
though  the  most  important,  judging  from  the  extent  of  the  manu- 
facture, we  are  led  first  to  the  consideration  of  Bricks. 

1.  BRICKS.  The  manufacture  of  Bricks,  in  Philadelphia,  is 
carried  on,  like  many  other  important  branches  of  industry,  mainly 
by  individual  enterprise,  the  business  expanding  or  contracting 
according  to  the  current  demand,  without  much  concert  of  action 
between  the  producers,  and  without  any  very  large  establishments, 
at  least  compared  with  those  in  Vienna,  or  even  in  Massachu- 
setts.* The  statistics  of  the  trade  are  given,  and  its  present 

*  Vienna  has  the  honor  of  containing,  undoubtedly,  the  largest  and  most 
remarkable  establishment  for  Brick-making  in  the  world.  The  descrip- 
tion states  that  the  main  factory,  occupying  a  space  of  ground  of  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-four  and  three-fourths  English  acres,  has  twenty-four  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  and  thirty  feet  in  length  of  drying  sheds,  for  the  manu- 
facture of  ordinary  Bricks,  and  eight  thousand  three  hundred  and  four  feet 
of  moulding  sheds,  for  the  manufacture  of  Tiles  and  facing  and  ornamental 
Bricks  ;  besides  forty-three  kilns,  calculated  to  burn  forty-five  thousand  to 
one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  Bricks  per  kiln,  or  to  burn  at  one  time  three 
millions  five  hundred  thousand.  There  are  in  connection  with  this  estab- 
lishment, infant  schools  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  children,  a  hospital 
with  fifty-two  beds,  a  tool  workshop,  a  wheelwright  and  carpenter  shop, 
and  great  watering  and  kneading  pits  for  red  and  white  ornamental  Bricks. 
Besides  this,  the  proprietor,  Mr.  MIKSBACK,  has  six  other  factories  in  the 
immediate  vicinity,  and  provided  in  the  same  proportion.  In  1851,  he 
supplied  twenty  millions  of  Bricks  for  the  great  tunnel  through  the  Soni' 


BRICKS,    FIRE-BRICKS,    POTTERY.  199 

condition  is  sketched  in  the  following  report  from  a  practical 
Brickmaker;  and  his  conclusions,  having  been  submitted  to  others 
familiar  with  the  subject,  are  approved. 

"  As  aearly  as  I  can  ascertain,  there  are  about  fifty  Brick  Yards 
within  the  limits  of  the  consolidated  city — say  twenty-five  in  the  south 
end,  and  the  balance  in  the  north  end,  including  Germantown,  and 
across  the  Schuylkill.  Those  in  the  southern  part  of  the  city  will 
average  two  and  a  half  millions  of  Bricks  a  year  each ;  but  the  fair 
average  for  the  whole  would  be,  I  think,  two  millions  per  year.  About 
thirty  hands  are  employed  in  each  yard — the  men's  wages  ranging  from 
$26  to  $60  per  month  ;  and  the  boys'  wages,  of  whom  there  are  six  to 
eight  in  each  yard,  are  from  $15  to  $20  per  month.  The  prices  of 
common  Bricks  range  from  $6  to  $10  per  thousand,  and  pressed  Brick 
from  $13  to  $18.  It  takes  one  third  of  a  cord  of  wood  to  burn  one 
thousand  Bricks,  and  wood  is  worth  from  $5  to  $6  per  cord.  The  cap- 
ital invested  in  each  yard  is  from  $8,000  to  $10,000. 

"  There  are  few,  if  any,  now  made  here  by  machinery.  Our  Clay  ia 
not  adapted  for  machinery.  In  Washington,  where  great  quantities  of 
Bricks  are  made  by  Brick  machines,  they  do  better ;  but  Bricks  thus 
made  are  never  equal  in  quality  to  hand-made  Brick,  which  bring  in 
the  market  $1  per  thousand  more,  and  this  is  about  equal  to  the 
difference  in  cost.  As  to  quality,  Philadelphia  Bricks  rank  as  the 
best  made  in  the  country,  and  those  of  Baltimore  next.  Philadelphia 
has  better  Sand  and  Clay,  which  gives  to  the  Bricks  a  better  color  than 
those  produced  elsewhere.  Yet  Baltimore  Bricks  bring  in  New  York 
a  little  higher  price  than  ours,  because  the  Baltimore  Clay  being  purer, 
and  therefore  stronger,  stands  more  burning,  which  renders  the  Brick 
harder,  and  able  to  bear  transportation  with  less  breakage  and  damage. 
But  they  do  not  look  near  so  well  as  those  of  Philadelphia." 

There  are  at  least  four  yards  in  Philadelphia  that  produce  five 
millions  of  Bricks  per  annum  each,  and  I  am  therefore  disposed  to 

mering,  on  the  Austrian  railway;  and  filled  another  contract  for  forty  nil- 
lions  for  public  works  in  Viennn  ;  and  these  were  merely  additions  to  the  or- 
dinary make.  Number  of  persons  employed  in  the  establishment,  two  thott- 
ictnd  eight  hundred  and  ninety. 

The  largest  Brick-making  establishment  in  the  United  States  is  supposed 
to  be  that  located  ia  North  Cambridge,  Mass.  When  in  full  operation  it 
produces,  on  an  average,  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  thousand  Bricks  per 
day  or  about  twenty-four  millions  during  the  season.  The  c\siy  is  taken  from  a 
pit  which  is  about  forty  feet  deep,  and  elevated  in  a  car  on  an  inclined 
plane  by  steam  power.  The  shafting  reaches  a  quarter  of  a  mile- 


200  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

regard  the  average  stated  above  as  a  low  one ;  but  assuming  it 
to  be  correct,  the  result  is  that  about  one  hundred  millions  of 
common  Bricks,  worth  about  $700,000,  are  produced  annually. 
In  addition,  there  are  about  eight  millions  of  fine-pressed  Bricks 
made,  worth  say  $14  per  thousand,  or  $112,000  ;  and  the  total 
product  is  $812,000.  ' 

The  pressed  Bricks  of  Philadelphia  have  a  deservedly  high 
and  extended  reputation.  One  firm,  during  the  last  year,  ex- 
ported to  Cuba  200,000,  and  has  now  150,000  on  hand  ready 
for  shipment;  and  another  maker  sent,  in  1856,  one  million  three 
hundred  thousand  to  New  York  city. 

2.  FIRE-BRICKS,  &c.  The  use  of  Fire-Clay  is  comparatively 
of  recent  date,  but  has  greatly  increased  within  the  last  few  years. 
It  is  now  employed,  not  merely  for  Fire-Brick,  but  for  Chemical 
Ware,  Drain  Pipes,  Gas-house  Tiles,  &c. 

Philadelphia  has  probably  the  first  established  Fire-Brick  man- 
ufactory in  the  United  States.  The  father  of  Mr.  Abraham  Mil- 
ler, whose  establishment  is  on  Callowhill  street,  commenced  the 
business,  we  are  informed,  nearly  one  hundred  years  ago. 

The  present  Mr.  Miller  was  the  first  manufacturer,  we  under- 
stand, of  the  Clay  Furnace  now  so  largely  used  in  Summer.  There 
are  at  least  three  establishments  that  use  steam  for  grinding  the 
Clay,  viz.,  Messrs.  GEORGE  SWEENEY  &  Co.,  THE  HAYWOOD 
FIRE  BRICK  and  TILE  COMPANY,  and  Messrs.  NJSWKUMET  & 
MELICK.  Messrs.  Sweenejr  &  Co.,  1310  Ridge  Avenue,  are  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  making  Fire-Brick,  Stove  Linings,  Cylin- 
ders, and  Bakers'  Tile.  This  is  a  reliable  house,  and  well- 
known  to  the  trade.  The  Hay  wood  Company  have  a  very  exten- 
sive establishment  about  two  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Richmond, 
owning  an  extensive  bed  of  superior  Clay,  and  have  machines 
that  will  produce  five  hundred  pieces  of  drain  pipe,  two  feet 
long  and  four  inches  in  diameter,  in  an  hour.  The  concern 
has  produced  some  tubular  or  hollow  Brick,  which  is  now  exten- 
sively manufactured,  we  are  informed,  in  England,  and  by  which 
it  is  said  a  saving  in  brick-work  may  be  effected  of  twenty-five 
to  thirty  per  cent,  on  the  cost,  with  a  reduction  of  twenty-five 
per  cent,  in  the  quantity  of  mortar,  and  a  similar  saving  in  labor; 
besides  promoting  ventilation  and  freedom  from  dampness. 

'  .«   ..  lo   :•>;,,._    A  t>»ifoadt    vn'iii  fit  -•  i  P          jv  ••:   '.•.,,'.-,••!  30ft  fu 


BRICKS,    FIRE-BRICKS,    POTTERY.  201 

Messrs.  NEWKUMET  &  MELICK,  the  other  firm  referred  to,  are 
extensive  manufacturers  of  Fire-Brick,  Gas-house  Tiles,  &c. 
This  firm  has  peculiar  advantages — one  of  the  partners,  Mr.  Mel- 
ick,  being  part  owner  of  the  celebrated  Fire-Brick  Clay  deposit, 
at  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey,  whence  the  best  material  is  obtained. 
They  have  two  kilns,  employ  thirty  men,  and  their  works  have  a 
capacity  for  turning  out  a  product  of  $50,000  per  annum.  Gas- 
house  Tiles  are  made  by  them  to  suit  all  the  different  plans  in 
use.  and  of  a  quality  superior,  as  they  claim,  to  any  in  the  United 
States.  Extra  nine-inch  Fire-Brick  are  also  produced,  equal  to 
the  best  English  Bricks.  Though  but  recently  established,  they 
have  supplied  large  orders  from  Cuba  and  different  parts  of  the 
United  States,  and  have  every  requisite  facility  for  filling  expedi- 
tionsly  any  special  demand. 

The  Pottery  art  is  carried  on  by  several  in  the  city — some- 
times in  conjunction  with  the  manufacture  of  Fire-Brick,  and 
by  others  as  a  distinct  business.  Earthenware  of  all  the  ordi- 
nary description,  including  Chemical-ware,  is  made  by  Mono 
PHILLIPS,  at  his  factory,  in  West  Philadelphia ;  and  Stoneware 
Jars,  Jugs,  Beer  Bottles,  Ink  Bottles,  and  Stone  Pipe  for  heated 
air,  &c.,  are  made  extensively  by  N.  SPENCER  THOMAS,  at  a  fac- 
tory adjoining  his  Chemical  works. 

The  General  Manufactures  in  Clay  include,  besides  those  above- 
mentioned,  China-ware,  Artificial  Stone,  Architectural  Decora- 
tions, Cements,  Plasters,  Terra-Cotta,  Scagliola,  Mosaics,  Paving 
Tiles,  Roofing  Tiles,  Draining  Tiles,  and  Drain  Pipes,  Smoking 
Pipes,  <fec.  All  of  these,  with  the  exception  perhaps  of  Mosaics, 
are  made  at  least  to  some  extent  in  Philadelphia  ;  Tiles,  Pipes, 
&c.,  are  generally  made  in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of 
Fire-Bricks,  and  have  been  already  referred  to.  Terra-Cotta 
ware,  as  Chimney  Tops,  Garden  and  Hanging  Vases,  Caps  and 
Brackets  for  churches  and  private  dwellings,  glazed  Heating  Pipe, 
is  made  at  several  establishments,  and  to  an  amount  exceeding 
in  the  aggregate  $100,000  per  annum.  The  manufacturers  claim 
to  make  Terra-Cotta  equal  to  the  imported,  and  at  much  less 
cost.* 

*  The  manufacture  of  Terra-Cotta  ware  requires  a  Clay  of  great  purity 
16 


202  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

The  "  Gloucester'China  Company,"  having  an  authorized  capi- 
tal of  $200,000,  has  made  ware  possessing  the  qualities  of  being 
not  only  semi-transparent,  but  very  strong.  The  articles  are 
such  as  are  required  in  every  household,  and  the  product  com- 
pares favorably  with  the  European.  Decorating  Porcelain  and 
Chin  a- ware,  which  had  been  imported  plain,  is  done  in  one  es- 
tablishment, to  an  amount  exceeding  $15,000  per  annum.  Of 
Calcined  Plaster  about  sixteen  thousand  barrels  are  made  yearly, 
and  consumed  principally  in  Stucco  work,  Architectural  Decora- 
tions, and  in  the  manufacture  of  figures,  in  which  a  large  business 
is  done  by  Italians.  White  Clay  Smoking  Pipes,  of  all  lengths, 
are  made  here  at  least  by  one  person,  and  of  very  good  quality. 
He  has  recently  sent  to  England  to  procure  additional  assistance, 
and  this  branch  of  fictilerraanufactures,  now  very  small,  will  prob- 
ably soon  be  extended. 

The  miscellaneous  manufactures  in  Clay,  of  which  we  have  any 
account,  and  including  Fire  Bricks,  which  amount  to  nearly  one 
half  the  sum,  furnish  an  aggregate  product  of  $647,000. 

IX. 

Carriages. 

"  Comparing  the  state  of  the  art  of  Carriage  building,"  say 
the  London  Jurors,  in  their  report  on  Carriages  exhibited  at  the 
World's  Fair,  "  of  former  and  not  very  distant  times,  with  that 
of  the  present,  we  consider  the  principles  of  building  in  many 
respects  greatly  improved,  and  particularly  with  reference  to 
lightness,  and  a  due  regard  to  strength,  which  is  evident  in  Car- 
riages of  British  make ;  and  especially  displayed  in  those  con- 
tributed by  the  United  States,  where  there  is  commonly  employed 
in  the  construction  of  wheels,  and  other  parts  requiring  strength 
and  lightness  combined,  a  native  wood  (upland  hickory),  which 
is  admirably  adapted  to  the  purpose.  The  Carriages  from  the 

resembling  that  used  for  Pipe-making  and  Potter's-ware,  containing  but 
little  iron,  and  made  up  with  n  quantity  of  crushed  pottery  and  calcined 
flint;  the  whole  being  well  mixed,  and  burnt  to  a  very  high  heat.  It  thus 
approaches  in  its  nature  to  what  is  called  Stone- ware ;  but  the  fusion  of  thtj 
material  is  not  effected. 


CARRIAGES.  203 

Continental  states  do  not  exhibit  this  useful  feature  in  an  equal 
degree." 

Comparing  the  state  of  Carriage  Building  in  various  cities, 
states,  and  countries,  it  will  be  found  by  those  who  make  the 
comparison,  that  in  the  art  of  constructing  light  Carriages,  par- 
ticularly with  reference  to  combining  lightness  with  strength,  and 
attaining  durability  in  conjunction  with  beauty  of  appearance  and 
high  finish,  no  builders,  either  in  this  country  or  in  Europe,  have 
been  so  uniformly  successful  as  some  in  Philadelphia.  The  qual- 
ity of  Philadelphia  Carriages  is  indisputably  superior.  It  is 
true  that  here,  as  elsewhere,  there  are  carriages  made,  like  Peter 
Pindar's  razors,  to  sell ;  but  we  fearlessly  claim  that  the  general 
quality  is  above  the  ordinary  average,  and  that  those  who  desire 
a  perfect  vehicle,  will  be  likely  to  attain  a  nearer  approximation 
to  perfection' in  this  city  than  they  can  anywhere  else.  The  firsi- 
class  builders  have  studied,  and  know  to  exactness,  the  proper 
proportions  of  every  part  of  a  vehicle,  and  never  use  more  nor 
less  material  than  is  required.  They  risk  nothing  to  make  it 
light ;  nor  add  any  unnecessary  weight  to  give  it  strength.  All 
materials  that  are  in  the  slightest  defective,  or  that  interfere 
in  the  least  with  the  purposes  of  a  good  Carriage,  are  promptly 
rejected.  The  leading  and  important  parts  of  a  Carriage,  as  the 
wheels,  axles,  &c.,  are  generally  made  on  the  same  premises,  and 
rigid  supervision  exercised  over  every  part  in  the  construction. 
The  prominent  builders  have  attained  a  high  and  wide-spread 
reputation,  entirely  too  valuable  to  themselves  to  be  risked  lightly 
through  carelessness,  neglect,  or  indifference.  In  addition  to 
unremitting  vigilance,  combined  with  long  experience,  their  efforts 
are  greatly  aided  and  facilitated  by  having  at  hand  the  very  best 
materials,  and  in  being  able  at  all  times  to  command  the  very  best 
workmen.  The  growth  of  hickory,  and  oak,  and  ash,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Philadelphia,  is  so  superior  for  Carriage  purposes,  that 
we  might  say  without  exaggeration,  that  no  first-class  vehicle  can 
be  built  without  coming  to  this  vicinity  for  the  materials. 

There  are  now  thirty  establishments,  great  and  small,  within 
the  limits  of  Philadelphia,  that  make  pleasure  Carriages.  They 
have  a  capital  invested  of  about  $500,000 — employ  on  an  average 
eight  hundred  hands,  all  males,  and  turn  out  an  average  annual 


204  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

product  of  $900,000.  About  two  thirds  of  the  Carriages  made 
are  for  use  in  the  city,  and  its  vicinity — the  remainder  being  ex- 
ported to  the  South  and  West,  the  West  India  Islands,  some  to 
New  England,  and  a  few  light  vehicles  are  sent  every  year  to 
Europe.  In  many  portions  of  Europe,  Philadelphia  Carriages 
have  excited  great  attention,  as  wonderful  specimens  of  combined 
strength  and  lightness;  and  orders  from  London,  Paris,  and 
other  European  capitals,  are  now  far  more  frequent  and  import- 
ant than  formerly,  manifesting  a  growing  appreciation  of  Amer- 
ican superiority  in  this  branch  of  manufactures.  It  will  be  re- 
membered, that  to  a  Philadelphia  Carriage  a  prize-medal  was 
awarded  at  the  World's  Fair. 

In  the  construction  of  Carriages,  the  builders  of  Philadelphia 
either  adhere  to  what  has  received  the  sanction  of  experience,  or 
originate  improvements  for  themselves  ;  very  few,  if  any,  of  the 
many  hundreds  of  patent  rights  for  improvements  in  Carriages, 
that  are  now  on  file  in  the  Patent-office,  being  adopted  by  any, 
and  none  in  general  use.  The  designs  of  light  Carriages  have 
been  made  by  Philadelphians,  perhaps  to  a  greater  extent  than 
by  any  others.  The  "Germantown  Wagon,"  which  satisfies  the 
demand  for  a  light,  strong,  convenient,  yet  cheap  vehicle,  had  its 
origin  here,  and  its  advantages  are  every  year  becoming  more 
generally  appreciated.  These  vehicles  are  constructed  to  hold 
four,  six,  or  eight  persons,  and  lose  nothing  in  elegance  and  style 
by  increase  in  size.  Trotting  Wagons,  weighing  not  more  than 
eighty-five  pounds,  are  probably  an  invention  of  our  builders,  for 
no  one,  we  should  think,  would  venture  upon  the  experiment  ex- 
cept those  who  could  command  the  white  hickory  of  Montgomery 

The  prices  of  Carriages  made  in  this  city  vary  of  course  with 
the  style,  quality,  and  degree  of  ornamentation.  Those  for  Pres- 
idents, Postmaster-Generals,  and  "such  like  folk,"  are  costly  in 
proportion  to  their  elegance ;  while  those  that  are  made  for  auc- 
tion sales  are  so  cheap,  that  New  England  dealers  frequently 
purchase  large  lots  to  resell,  being  able  to  obtain  a  better  article 
at  a  less  price  than  at  Bridgeport  or  New  Haven.  One  maker, 
whose  product  in  1856  was  eighteen  Coaches  and  one  thousand 
one  hundred  and  eighty-two  light  Carriages,  sold  about  $10,000 
worth  to  New  England.  Economy  in  manufacturing  is  largely 


CARRIAGES.  205 

promoted  in  Philadelphia,  by  the  fact,  that  the  principal  constit- 
uent parts  of  a  Carriage,  from  the  raw  materials  of  which  they  are 
composed  to  the  finished  product — the  bolts,  screws,  springs,  hubs, 
axles,  as  well  as  iron,  steel,  and  wood — are  all  made  in  this  city, 
with  every  facility  for  making  them  economically,  and  on  a  large 
scale.* 

The  extent  of  some  of  the  establishments,  and  the  method  of 
construction,  will  be  best  illustrated  by  a  detailed  description  of 
a  first-class  establishment.  (See  APPENDIX.)  The  varieties  of 
Carriages  made,  include  every  description  that  purchasers  may  imag- 
ine or  can  desire,  though  light  Carriages  form  the  bulk  of  the  man- 
ufacture. One  firm  make  the  construction  of  Private  and  Hackney 
Coaches  a  principal  feature  in  their  business,  and  hare  been  very 
successful  in  satisfying  the  requirements  of  good  taste.  Omni- 
busses  are  made  by  one  or  two  of  the  'Omnibus  proprietors  for 
their  own  use  ;  and  by  one  maker  for  sale,  who,  however,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  introduction  of  Passenger  Railways,  apprehends  that 
his  "  occupation's  gone."  It  is  manifest,  however,  that  the  manu- 
facture of  public  Carriages  has  not  attained  its  proper  develop- 
ment ;  and  upon  inquiry  as  to  the  causes,  we  are  informed,  that 
our  citizens  have  not  given  this  branch  that  encouragement,  pref- 
erence, and  patronage  to  which  its  intrinsic  importance  entitles 
it.  It  should  be  remembered  that  the  Carriage  manufacture  is 
an  important  interest,  wide-reaching  in  its  ramifications,  affect- 
ing the  prosperity  of  an  immense  number  of  trades  :  the  vari- 
ous manufactures  of  iron — rolled,  wrought,  and  cast;  of  steel 
springs,  nails,  screws,  bolts ;  oil  and  other  cloths,  patent  leath- 
ers, paints,  varnishes,  and  glue ;  of  wheel-makers,  painters, 
blacksmiths,  trimmers,  carvers,  silver-platers,  wood-turners,  the 
makers  of  tools  for  all  these,  and  others.  Every  purchase  then 
of  a  Carriage  abroad  is  a  discouragement  of  industry  at  home 

For  other  vehicles,  see  WAGONS,  CARTS,  &c. 

*  We  are  informed  that  Patent  or  Japanned  Leather  is  not  made  to  any 
extent  in  Philadelphia;  and  that  a  manufactory  of  the  kind  would  be  well 
supported,  and  could  not  fail  to  do  a  successful  business,  if  properly 
managed. 

16* 


206  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

X. 

Chemicals,  Paints,  Glue,  &c. 

The  manufacture  of  Chemicals,  in  the  United  States,  may  be 
said  to  date  from  the  war  of  1812.  The  commercial  restrictions 
which  preceded  that  war  caused  such  a  scarcity  and  dearness  of 
Chemicals,  that  the  preparation  of  the  more  prominent  articles 
offered  an  attractive  field  for  enterprise.  Previous  to  that  period, 
however,  a  Philadelphian  had  established  successfully  a  manufac- 
tory of  Sulphuric  acid.  This  was  Mr.  John  Harrison,  the  first 
successful  manufacturer  of  oil  of  vitriol  in  the  United  States,  and 
the  founder  of  the  well-known  house  of  Harrison  Brothers.  He 
had  spent  two  years  in  Europe  in  acquainting  himself,  as  far  as 
he  could  gain  access  to  them,  with  the  processes  used  by  the 
chemists  ;  and  after  his  return  to  America  devoted  himself  to  the 
manufacturing  of  Chemicals.  How  much  earlier  he  succeeded, 
we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining,  but  in  1806,  he  was  fully  es- 
tablished as  a  manufacturer  of  oil  of  vitriol  and  other  Chemicals, 
in  Green  street,  above  Third.  His  leaden  chamber  was  a  small 
one,  and  capable  of  making  about  forty-five  thousand  pounds,  or 
three  hundred  carboys  of  oil  of  vitriol  per  annum.  So  successful 
were  these  operations,  that  in  1807  he  had  built  a  leaden 
chamber  eighteen  feet  high  and  wide,  and  fifty  feet  long,  capa- 
ble of  making  three  thousand  five  hundred  carboys  per  annum 
The  price  which  the  acid  then  brought  was  fifteen  cents  pei 
pound. 

The  application  of  Platinum  to  the  concentration  of  sulphuric 
acid,  was  also  first  attempted  in  Philadelphia  by  Dr.  Erick  Boll- 
man,  who  had  distinguished  himself  by  a  gallant  and  all  but  suc- 
cessful attempt,  in  company  with  Francis  K.  Huger,  of  South 
Carolina,  to  rescue  General  Lafayette  from  his  guards,  during  his 
imprisonment  at  Olmutz.  Dr.  Bollman  was  a  Dane,  a  man  of 
powerful  and  versatile  mind,  a  physician,  a  chemist,  a  political 
economist,  and  a  general  scholar.  Among  other  pursuits,  he  had 
turned  his  attention  to  the  working  of  crude  platinum,  of  which 
there  was  a  considerable  quantity  in  this  country,  and  for  which 
there  was  no  demand.  He  had  brought  from  France  the  method 
then  lately  discovered  by  Dr.  Wollaston,  for  converting  the  crude 


CHEMICALS.  207 

grains  into  -»u<l,  in  1813,  he  had  wrought  it. 

masses,  \i\  pounds,  and  into  sheets  more 

of    the   first  uses  to  which 

be  applic  ing  of  a  platinnm  still  for 

John  Harrison  of  his  oil  of  vitriol.     This 

ined  twenty-five  gallons. 

M* 

the   concentration  of 
Lmerican  manufacturer. 

fo?  its  use  for  this  purpose  vn  -loyelty  in  Eu> 

Charles  Lennig  was  the  fir  ,  M-.m  who  largely  mann- 

ed oil  of  vitriol  by  putting  iisive  leaden  chambers, 

the  acid  in  platinum  vessels  so  arranged  as  \to 
at  work,  while  discharging  a  steady  stream  of 
'•-•.•.."  : 

:ae  Philadelphia  contains  the  most  extensive 
•ries  in  the  UY  is  A 

WJBKJBTWTAN'.  for  i; 

;-iaveW. 

. 

^lum, 

all  on  a  large  scviie.    At  iheii  .rueut  at '  of  Ninth 

and  Parrish  streets,  Philadelphia,  they  manufacture  sulphate  of 
quinine,  which  is  their  staple  article ;  mercurials,  morphias,  and 
Medicinal  Chemicals  generally,  (See  APPENDIX.) 

Their  Chemicals  have  an  enviable  reputation  for  parity,  exact- 
?!***,  and  beauty ;,  and  the  firm  is  well-known  for  its  liberality, 

:.I  about  forty  years 
Abraham   Konzi    and    John 
.  vKU'/y.;  fti  them  has  been  maintained, 

fttd.  if  i  '  proprietors. 

re  believed  to  be  the  n 

manufacturers  of  oil  of  vitriol  in  Philaileiphia.     T  •:  are 

at  Brides  upy  over  twelre  acre«-  Their 

list  of   manufactni-'.  TUS,   aqua- 

fortis, nitric  and  muriatic  acids ..  us  preparations  of 

tin  for  the  use  of  dyers,  such   H  -,  oxymuriate  of  tin. 

pink  salt,  &c. 


CHEMICALS.  207 

grains  into  bars  and  sheets  ;  and,  in  1813,  he  had  wrought  it  into 
masses,  weighing  upward  of  two  pounds,  and  into  sheets  more 
than  thirteen  inches  square.  One  of  the  first  uses  to  which 
he  applied  these  sheets  was  the  making  of  a  platinum  still  for 
John  Harrison,  for  the  concentration  of  his  oil  of  vitriol.  This 
still  weighed  seven  hundred  ounces,  contained  twenty-five  gallons, 
and  continued  in  use  fifteen  years. 

This  early  application  of  Platinum  to  the  concentration  of 
sulphuric  acid  is  highly  creditable  to  the  American  manufacturer, 
for  its  use  for  this  purpose  was  then  a  novelty  in  Europe. 

Charles  Lennig  was  the  first  Philadelphian  who  largely  manu- 
factured oil  of  vitriol  by  putting  up  extensive  leaden  chambers, 
and  concentrating  the  acid  in  platinum  vessels  so  arranged  as  to 
be  kept  constantly  at  work,  while  discharging  a  steady  stream  of 
concentrated  acid. 

At  the  present  time  Philadelphia  contains  the  most  extensive 
Chemical  manufactories  in  the  United  States.  Messrs.  POWERS  & 
WEIGHTMAN,  for  instance,  are  among  the  largest  manufacturing 
Chemists  in  the  world.  They  have  two  establishments — one  at  the 
Palls  of  Schuylkill,  where  they  make  oil  of  vitriol,  aquafortis,  nitric 
and  muriatic  acids,  Epsom  salts,  copperas,  blue  vitriol,  and  alum, 
all  on  a  large  scale.  At  their  establishment  at  the  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Parrish  streets,  Philadelphia,  they  manufacture  sulphate  of 
quinine,  which  is  their  staple  article ;  mercurials,  morphias,  and 
Medicinal  Chemicals  generally.  (See  APPENDIX.) 

Their  Chemicals  have  an  enviable  reputation  for  purity,  exact- 
ness, and  beaaty;  and  the  firm  is  well-known  for  its  liberality, 
fairness,  and  reliability.  The  house  was  founded  about  forty  years 
ago  by  two  intelligent  foreigners,  Abraham  Kunzi  and  John 
Farr ;  and  the  reputation  acquired  by  them  has  been  maintained, 
and,  if  possible,  increased  by  the  present  proprietors. 

NICHOLAS  LENNIG  &  Co.  are  believed  to  be  the  most  extensive 
manufacturers  of  oil  of  vitriol  in  Philadelphia.  Their  works  are 
at  Bridesburg,  and  occupy  over  twelve  acres  of  ground.  Their 
list  of  manufactures  includes  soda-ash,  alum,  copperas,  aqua- 
fortis, nitric  and  muriatic  acids ;  all  the  various  preparations  of 
tin  for  the  use  of  dyers,  such  as  tin  crystals,  oxymuriate  of  tin, 
pink  salt,  &c. 


208  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

HARRISON  BROTHERS  &  Co.  make  white  and  red  lead,  litharge, 
and  orange  mineral,  oxide  of  zinc,  white  and  brown  sugar  of 
lead,  alum,  copperas,  oil  of  vitriol,  aquafortis,  muriatic  acid,  iron 
liquor,  red  liquor,  &c.,  &c.  To  the  founder  of  this  house  we 
have  already  referred,  the  works  being  commenced  and  erected  in 
1807.  The  productions  of  this  house  enjoy  a  high  character  for 
purity  and  genuineness. 

ROSENGARTEN  &  SONS,  formerly  Rosengarten  &  Denis,  are 
largely  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  sulphate  of  quinine,  and  other 
pharmaceutical  preparations.  This  house  was  established  in  1823 
and  was  among  the  first  to  manufacture  the  valuable  vegetable 
alkaloids  in  this  country.  Their  laboratory  is  well-known,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  important  in  the  United  States. 

BUCK,  SIMONIN  &  Co.  are  the  successors  of  Wm.  Coffin  &  Co., 
in  the  manufacture  of  copperas,  metallic  nickel,  and  the  oxide 
of  cobalt,  so  highly  prized  in  painting  porcelain  and  queensware. 
They  are  also  extensive  manufacturers  of  Bichromate  of  Potash, 
by  a  superior  process,  patented  both  in  this  country  and  in  En- 
gland. 

WETHERILL  &  BROTHER  make  White  Lead,  Red  Lead,  Lith- 
arge, Orange  Mineral,  Nitric  and  Muriatic  Acids ;  Calomel  and 
other  Mercurials;  Sulphuric  and  Nitric  Ethers,  Hoffman's  Ano- 
dyne, Aqua  Ammonia,  and  other  Pharmaceutical  preparations. 

SAMUEL  GRANT,  JR.,  &  Co.  have  extensive  Chemical  works  at 
Manayunk,  where  they  make  muriatic,  nitric,  and  numerous  other 
acids  ;  aquafortis,  bleaching  salts  in  large  quantities,  sugar  of 
lead,  soda-ash,  and  various  articles  used  by  dyers  and  printers,  to 
which  we  will  subsequently  refer. 

POTTS  &  KLETT  manufacture  oil  of  vitriol,  muriatic  and  nitric 
acid,  Paris,  Prussian  and  soluble  bines,  pulp  lakes  and  sienna, 
paper-makers'  and  paper-stainers'  colors  generally. 

BURGIN  &  SONS  are  extensive  manufacturers  of  bicarbonate  of 
soda,  sal  soda,  soda  saleratus,  Rochelle  salts,  and  Seidlitz  mix- 
ture, &c. 

MORO  PHILLIPS,  at  the  "Aramingo  Chemical  Works,"  makes  oil 
of  vitriol,  aquafortis,  nitric  and  muriatic  acids,  copperas,  &c.  Mr. 
Phillips  has  the  contract  for  supplying  the  United  States  Mint,  and 
its  branches,  excepting  those  at  New  York  and  San  Francisco, 


CHEMICALS.  209 

with  nitric  and  sulphuric  acids.  His  office  in  Philadelphia  is  at 
27  North  Front  street. 

SAVAGE  &  MARTIN,  at  their  "Frankford  Chemical  Works," 
manufacture  oil  of  vitriol,  aquafortis,  nitric  and  muriatic  acids, 
aqua  ammonia,  nitrate  of  iron,  muriate  of  tin,  tin  crystals,  blue 
vitriol,  &c.  Their  office  is  at  18  North  Front  street. 

There  are  several  establishments  in  the  city,  engaged  princi- 
pally in  making  various  preparations  for  coloring  purposes, 
and  have  been  successful  in  attaining  excellence  in  a  manufacture 
where  excellence  is  rare.  The  oldest  Color  establishment  is  that 
of  CHARLES  J.  CREASE,  who  makes  Prussian  blues,  chrome  greens, 
chrome  yellows  and  reds  ;  and  besides  these,  he  makes  nitric  acid, 
aquafortis,  muriatic  acid,  &c. 

JOHN  LUCAS  &  Co.  also  make  Prussian  and  ultramarine  blues, 
chrome  yellows  and  reds,  zinc  greens,  &c.,  both  dry  and  in  oil. 

BREINIQ,  GATTMAN  &  BREINIG,  at  their  works  at  Fairmount, 
make  several  of  the  chromes. 

GEORGE  W.  OSBORNE  &  Co.,  104  North  Sixth  street,  manufac- 
ture Osborne's  American  Water  Colors. 

Daguerreotype  and  Photographic  Chemicals  are  made  exten- 
sively, and  of  a  very  superior  quality,  by  GARRIGTIES  &  MAGEE, 
108  North  Fifth  street.  This  firm  give  especial  attention  to  the 
manufacture  of  these  Chemicals — pure  nitrate  of  silver,  Becker's 
chloride  of  gold,  collodion,  gun  cotton,  also  Becker's  rotten- 
stone  for  polishing,  &c.,  being  leading  productions. 

BENJAMIN  J.  CREW  &  Co.,  an  enterprising  and  accommodating 
house,  have  recently  very  much  enlarged  their  facilities  for  the 
manufacture  of  Chemicals  and  Pharmaceuticals.  Their  large  and 
admirably-arranged  establishment  is  located  at  the  N.  E.  corner 
of  Sixth  and  Oxford  streets. 

They  manufacture  chloroform,  acids,  ethers,  ammonia,  cyanide 
of  potassium,  daguerreotype  chemicals,  Rochelle  salts,  Seidlitz 
mixture,  and  Medicinal  and  Artistic  Chemicals  generally. 

PASCOE  &  BRO.,  of,  and  successors  to  H.  STEVENS  &  Co.,  give 
their  attention  particularly  to  the  manufacture  of  fine  and  rare 
Chemicals,  of  undoubted  purity.  Their  list  comprises  over  two 
hundred  different  Chemicals  ;  many  of  them,  they  state,  can  be 
had  of  no  other  parties,  and  some  of  them  they  believe  to  be  of 


210  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

great  prospective  importance.  "Within  the  last  few  years  this 
firm  has  diligently  experimented  on  crude  Glycerin  from  soap- 
waste,  with  a  view  of  rendering  this  available,  as  well  as  of 
bringing  Glycerin,  by  lowering  the  price,  into  more  general 
use  in  the  arts ;  making  it,  for  instance,  a  substitute  for  mo- 
lasses in  the  formation  of  printing  rollers,  and  facilitating  its 
incorporation  in  printing  paper,  thereby  rendering  the  latter 
always  soft  and  pliable,  and  requiring  no  wetting  before  use. 
They  have  succeeded,  as  we  learn  from  the  Journal  of  Phar- 
macy, January,  1858,  in  producing  from  the  concentrated  fetid 
liquids  of  the  soap-makers,  by  apparatus  involving  its  dis- 
tillation, Glycerin,  almost  tasteless  and  odorless,  and  equal  to 
that  of  "  Price's  Candle  Company,"  which,  it  is  well-known,  is 
made  from  pure  Palm  oil.  A  young  firm,  aiming,  as  Messrs.  PAS- 
COE  &  BRO.  do,  to  check  the  importation  of  rare  Chemical  prod- 
ucts, by  manufacturing  them  of  superior  quality,  is  deserving  of 
every  possible  encouragement. 

Yellow  Prussiate  of  Potash,  so  largely  used  for  dyeing  pur- 
poses and  making  Prussian  blue,  is  made  by  CARTER  &  SCATTER- 
GOOD,  who  are  now  the  sole  manufacturers.  The  annual  produc- 
tion in  Philadelphia  was  400,000  Ibs.  per  annum,  worth,  say  30 
cents  per  pound. 

HENRY  BOWER,  on  Gray's  Ferry  Road,  makes  sulphate  of  am- 
monia, and  a  variety  of  Chemical  products. 

li  •'.'!  ..o>', 

In  these  establishments,  which  represent  a  capital  of  two  and 
half  millions  of  dollars,  much  the  larger  proportion  of  the  best 
Chemicals  used  in  the  United  States  are  made.  The  factories, 
which  are  in  many  instances  immense  structures,  are  generally 
located  out  of  the  city  proper — at  Tacony,  Bridesburg,  Frank- 
ford,  the  Falls  of  Schuylkill,  and  some  in  or  near  Camden  ;  but 
the  capital  belongs  to  the  city,  and  their  products  centre  here  as 
a  point  for  redistribution.  Some  idea  of  their  extent  and  im- 
portance may  be  derived  from  the  fact,  that  they  consume  2,400 
tons  of  sulphur,  800,000  Ibs.  of  saltpetre,  1,500  tons  of  salt;  and 
produce  daily  of  sulphuric  acid  45,000  Ibs.,  or  over  16,000,000  Ibs. 
yearly  ;  of  alum,  20,000  Ibs.  daily  ;  of  muriatic  acid,  15,000  Ibs. ; 
of  nitric  acid,  8,000  Ibs.;  of  copperas,  15,000  Ibs.  daily;  of  ui- 


CHEMICALS.  211 

trate  of  silver,  150,000  ounces  annually ;  besides  the  numerous 
preparations  before  enumerated,  and  used  in  the  manufacturing 
arts  and  in  medicine.  The  consumption  of  Quinine  fluctuates  of 
course  with  the  state  of  health  in  the  West ;  but  it  is  said,  that 
in  one  year  250,000  ounces  were  made  in  Philadelphia. 

In  addition  to  these,  and  probably  other  manufacturers  of 
Chemicals,  there  are  several  manufacturing  Chemists  engaged  in 
the  preparation  of  Medicinal  and  Pharmaceutical  preparations. 
N.  SPENCER  THOMAS,  for  instance,  is  extensively  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  Medicinal  extracts,  conducting  the  evaporation 
in  vacuo,  by  a  very  superior  and  perfect  apparatus.  His  extracts, 
medical  and  fluid,  are  certainly  remarkable  for  beauty,  strength, 
and  reliability  ;  and,  as  he  claims,  not  equaled  by  any  in  this 
country  or  in  Europe.  His  vacuum  apparatus  is  capable  of 
making  100,000  Ibs.  of  extracts  per  annum.  In  addition  to  these, 
he  prepares  also,  in  vacuo,  the  concentrated  Eclectic  medicines  ; 
and  manufactures  blue  mass,  mercurial  ointment,  glycerin,  &c.  ; 
and  prepares  powdered  drugs  of  very  fine  quality,  by  what  is 
denominated  the  dusting  process.  His  supply  is  always  full  and 
ample.  E.  H.  HANCE  is  also  engaged  in  the  same  business,  and 
manufactures  Extracts  and  Syrups  to  a  considerable  extent. 

Many  of  the  Apothecaries  carry  on,  in  addition  to  their  regu- 
lar business,  the  manufacture  of  a  few  select  Chemicals. 

THOMAS  J.  HUSBAND  has  for  some  years  prepared  what  is 
known  as  "  Husband's  Calcined  Magnesia,"  which  has  obtained  a 
very  considerable  reputation,  and  is  extensively  used.  In  the 
Twentieth  Report  of  the  Franklin  Institute,  the  judges  of  Chemi- 
cals assert,  that  this  magnesia  "  is  believed  to  be  the  best  in  the 
United  States ;"  and  some  of  the  most  distinguished  professors 
and  practitioners  of  medicine  have  pronounced  it  quite  equal  to 
the  genuine  Henry's  magnesia. 

CHARLES  ELLIS  &  Co.,  No.  124  Market  street,  and  Sixth  and 
Alorris  streets,  manufacture  extensively  blue  pill,  mercurial  oint- 
ment, spread  adhesive  plasters,  roll  plasters,  Ellis's  Citrate  of 
Magnesia  ;  the  new  remedies — such  as  the  Hypophosphites  of 
Lime,  Soda,  Iron  ;  Chemical  food,  &c.,  together  with  a  great  variety 
of  standard  Chemical  and  Pharmaceutical  products. 

Some  of  the  Wholesale  Druggists  prepare,  with  or  without  the 
sanction  of  the  Medical  Faculty,  one  or  more  domestic  remedies, 


212  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

the  popularity  of  which,  in  some  instances,  establishes  a  consid- 
erable manufacturing  business.  GEORGE  W.  CARPENTER  &  Co. 
compound  a  list  of  domestic  remedies  which  are  widely  known,  and 
have  received  the  approval  and  recommendation  of  the  most  emi- 
nent of  the  Medical  Faculty,  throughout  the  United  States.  This 
firm,  however,  are  particularly  distinguished  for  having  provided  a 
great  depot  of  supplies  for  druggists  and  physicians;  probably  the 
greatest  and  most  wonderful,  for  variety  and  comprehensiveness 
of  stock,  that  this  country  affords.  Every  article  pertaining  to  the 
business  of  a  druggist  or  a  physician,  from  the  rarest  Surgical  in- 
strument, or  the  most  complete  collection  of  Anatomical  prepara- 
tions, Chemical  and  Philosophical  Implements  and  Apparatus  fo" 
colleges,  through  the  entire  range  of  simple  or  prepared  Drugs, 
Medicines,  and  Chemicals,  to  the  minutest  article  required  by 
either  at  the  outset  of  their  profession,  not  excepting  shop-fur- 
niture, medicine  chests,  saddle-bags,  medical  text  books,  &c.,  may 
be  found  in  this  Chemical  warehouse,  which  is  a  Drug  emporium 
in  itself.  t 

The  "Essence  of  Jamaica  Ginger,"  prepared  by  FREDERICK 
BROWN,  has  almost  entirely  superseded  the  use  of  ginger-tea,  and 
powder,  so  long  regarded  as  popular  remedies  in  domestic  practice 
for  various  complaints  of  the  stomach  and  digestive  organs.  This 
preparation  is  recognized  and  prescribed  by  the  Medical  Faculty, 
and  has  become  a  standard  family  medicine  of  the  United  States. 
The  Chemists  of  late  years  have,  in  a  great  measure,  overcome  their 
professional  aversion  to  prepared  remedies,  adapted  to  the  various 
ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to  ;  and  as  those  of  this  city  have  every  advan- 
tage for  procuring  the  recipes  of  the  most  celebrated  physicians  and 
medical  professors,  it  is  safe  to  infer  that  every  preparation  of  the 
kind  announced  by  a  reputable  established  pharmaceutist  of  Phil- 
adelphia, possesses  some  considerable  merit.  About  one  third  of 
the  Apothecaries  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  are  members  or 
graduates  of  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy ;  and  we  do 
not  fear  to  say  that,  as  a  body  of  men,  intelligent  and  skillful  in 
their  profession,  they  are  unsurpassed  in  any  community  ;  while  we 
could  name  individuals  among  them  who  have  few  if  any  supe- 
riors in  their  profession,  as  regards  scientific  knowledge  and  prac- 
tical skill,  in  any  metropolis  in  Europe. 


PATENT    MEDICINES.  213 

The  business  that,  in  connection  with  prepared  prescriptions, 
approaches  more  closely  to  a  manufacturing  pursuit,  and  there- 
fore, though  denounced  by  the  schools  as  irregular,  is  for  our 
purposes  the  most  regular — is  the  manufacture  of  what  has  been 
denominated  PATENT  MEDICINES.  The  individuals  and  firms  en- 
gaged in  this  business  are  both  enterprising  themselves,  and  the 
promoters  of  enterprise  in  others.  How  many  paper-mills,  glass 
factories,  printing  and  engraving  offices,  lithographic  establish- 
ments, paper-box  manufactories,  &c.,  would  be  tenantless — how 
many  journals  that  are  now  brilliant  lights  in  the  firmament  of 
journalistic  literature  would  have  gone  out,  leaving  the  world  in 
partial  darkness,  except  for  the  material  aid  afforded  through  the 
popularity  of  Patent  Medicines !  When  to  these  benefits  we  add 
another,  viz.,  that  the  preparations  in  many  instances  are  bene- 
ficial, and  as  respects  almost  all,  entirely  harmless,  the  manufac- 
ture would  seem  to  be  entitled  to  a  larger  share  of  respectful  con- 
sideration than  it  has  hitherto  received. 

Philadelphia,  though  it  has  not  entirely  escaped,  has  been  pre- 
served in  a  great  measure  from  the  visitation  of  those  whose  sole 
aim  is  to  speculate  on  human  distress.  The  remedies  of  the 
established  firms  have  much  weighty  testimony  in  favor  of  their 
excellence ;  and  the  popularity,  and  consequent  saleability  of  a  few, 
are  truly  remarkable.  The  enterprise  of  at  least  one  Philadel- 
phia firm  has  made  their  preparations  known,  not  only  throughout 
this  country,  but  in  the  islands  of  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans ; 
in  Burmah,  Siam,  India ;  and  almost  every  nationality  in  Europe. 
They  expend  annually  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  ad- 
vertising alone.  They  keep  eight  double-medium,  and  two  single- 
medium,  and  eight  steel-plate  presses  in  operation  throughout  the 
year.  Their  consumption  of  printing  paper,  during  the  last  year, 
was  14,000  reams,  costing  $39,782  96  ;  and  during  the  present 
year,  they  will  print  2,600,000  Almanacs  for  gratuitous  distribution. 
The  rooms  in  the  upper  stories  of  an  immense  structure  are  occu- 
pied— one  as  a  laboratory,  another  as  a  printing-office,  a  third  as 
a  binding  and  packing-room,  and  a  fourth  as  a  pill  manufactory.* 

*  In  the  last-mentioned  room  we  saw  pills  arranged  in  pyramidical  form, 
to  dry,  sufficient,  one  would  think,  to  physic  "all  creation,"  with  some  to 
17 


214  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

About  eighty  persons  are  furnished  constant  employment  iu  that 
establishment.  For  eight  months  of  the  year  the  expenditure  of 
the  firm  referred  to,  for  postage,  is  $25  per  day.  Wherever  a  few 
backwoodsmen  have  reared  their  lonely  cabins,  an  agency  for  these 
preparations  is  established ;  and  so  remote  and  isolated  are  some 
of  the  frontier  posts,  that  a  box  shipped  hence  cannot  reach  its 
destination  in  a  year. 

The  total  annual  sales  of  all  the  Patent  Medicines — bitters, 
syrups,  cattle  powders,  &c.,  made  in  Philadelphia,  cannot  be  as- 
certained ;  but  it  is  the  opinion  of  half  a  dozen  of  the  principal 
manufacturers,  that  they  might  safely  be  stated  at  one  million  of 
dollars,  net  prices.  At  "  long  prices,"  the  basis  on  which  statis- 
tical statements  are  made  in  neighboring  cities — the  sum  would  be 
doubled. 

The  preparation  of  Dye  Stuffs  is  made  a  specialty,  or  at  least  a 
prominent  branch  of  their  general  business,  by  several  manufac- 
turers, viz. :  BROWNING  &  BROTHERS,  SAMUEL  GRANT,  JR.  &  Co., 
and  J.  M.  SHARPLESS. 

BROWNING  &  BROTHERS  are  the  proprietors  of  the  well-known 
"Aroma  Mills" — a  stamp  which,  on  Extracts  of  Dye-Woods,  is 
everywhere  recognized  as  an  assurance  of  excellence.  This  firm 
are  also  manufacturers  of  Paints,  in  the  preparation  of  which  they 
state  they  use  only  the  pure  linseed  oil,  and  are  careful  to  have 
them  faithfully  and  finely  ground. 

SAMUEL  GRANT,  JR.,  &  Co.  have  very  extensive  Chemical 
Works  at  Manayunk,  occupying  seven  acres,  where  they  manufac- 
ture the  Chemicals  beforementioned ;  and  in  addition,  prepare 
Dye-Woods  largely,  ground,  chipped,  and  extracts,  and  every  ar- 
ticle used  by  dyers.  They  manufacture  several  products  that  are 
not  made  elsewhere,  it  is  believed,  in  the  country,  and  are  con- 
spare,  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  planetary  systems.  Pill  Machines,  we  are 
told,  have  not  as  yet  been  found  to  perform  satisfactorily;  and  Pills  aro 
made  by  passing  the  prepared  material,  which  is  in  long  strips,  through 
grooved  rollers,  with  much  the  same  hand-motion  as  women  roll  dough  into 
cakes.  The  motion,  we  presume,  is  precisely  the  same  when  Bread  Pills 
are  made. 

• 


DYE-STUFFS — WHITE    LEAD — PAINTS.  215 

tinually  adding  new  ones  to  their  list;  as  for  instance,  Gelp  salts 
made  from  Indigo. 

They  recently  engaged  iu  the  manufacture  of  liqnid  chloride 
of  lime,  used  by  paper-makers  and  bleachers ;  surrogate  of  al- 
kali, used  in  the  place  of  soda-ash  for  cleansing  wool ;  silicate  of 
soda,  used  by  calico-printers;  and  muriate  of  manganese,  a  mor- 
dant, which  is  used  in  dyeing  cotton  and  wool  together,  instead 
of  separately,  as  previously  done.  For  these  preparations,  as  well 
as  for  the  machinery  for  making  them,  a  patent  is  applied  for  by 
Mr.  Prentiss,  one  of  the  firm,  who  is  known  already  as  the  pa- 
tentee of  a  lubricating  oil.  The  store  of  Messrs.  Grant  &  Co.  is 
at  139  South  Water  street. 

J.  M.  SHARPLESS  makes  the  usual  Extracts  of  logwood,  fustic, 
and  quercitron  ;  and  also  grinds  and  chips  the  same,  and  other 
Dye- Woods. 

J.  ANDREYKOVICZ,  a  Polish  Chemist,  located  at  108  Arch 
street,  makes  Extracts  of  Indigo,  distinguished  as  Indigo  Paste 
and  Carmine  ;  and  is  prepared  to  make  a  new  dye-stuff  known  as 
Archill. 

There  are  other  mills  that,  in  addition  to  grinding  Dye-Woods, 
or  disconnected  therefrom,  are  engaged  in  grinding,  powdering, 
and  refining  Drugs.  The  oldest  is  that  of  Charles  V.  Hagner. 
The  mills  of  CHARLES  VANHORN&  Co.,  one  of  the  principal  firms  in 
this  branch,  were  twice  destroyed  by  fire — in  1852,  and  again  in 
1856  ;  but  since  their  last  destruction  they  have  been  greatly  ex- 
tended and  improved.  They  have  now  a  capacity  for  producing, 
and  frequently  do  produce  weekly,  6,000  Ibs.  of  Drugs,  36,000  Ibs. 
of  Spices,  14,000  Ibs.  of  Founder's  Facings,  and  35  tons  of  Dye- 
Woods. 

WHITE -LEAD  — PAINTS. 

The  production  of  Paints,  particularly  of  the  Salts  of  Lead, 
which  enter  so  largely  into  their  manufacture,  has  added  greatly  to 
the  Chemical  and  Manufacturing  reputation  of  Philadelphia. 

Of  White  Lead  there  are  four  manufactories,  viz.,  those  of  WETH- 
ERILL  &  BROTHER,  JOHN  T.  LEWIS  &  BROTHERS,  HARRISON  BRO- 
THERS &  Co.,  and  E.  DAVIS  &  RIGGS.  The  works  of  Messrs.  Weth- 
erill  &  Brother  were  established  during  or  before  the  Revolution, 
by  the  grand-father  of  the  present  proprietors,  who,  it  is  said,  intro- 


216  PHILADELPHIA    AXD    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

duced  the  manufacture  into  the  United  States.  They  are  situated 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuylkill,  employ  a  steam-engine  of  eighty- 
horse  power,  and  consume  daily  18,000  lb§.  of  Pig  Lead.  The 
article  manufactured  by  this  firm  has  always  maintained  a  high 
reputation  ;  and  is  sent  to  every  part  of  the  United  States,  and 
exported  to  the  West  Indies.  JOHN  T.  LEWIS  &  BROTHERS  are 
the  successors  of  Mordecai  Lewis  &  Co.,  who  founded  the  works 
in  1819.  At  the  period  of  their  establishment  Pig  Lead  cost  7^ 
cents  per  pound,  and  White  Lead  sold  for  15  cents.  During  the 
last  year  the  raw  material  cost  within  one  cent  of  the  price  above- 
named,  and  the  manufactured  article  sold  for  8^  cents.  The  present 
firm  have  nearly  a  half  million  of  dollars  invested  in  the  manu- 
facture, and  produce  annually  about  4,500,000  Ibs.  of  White 
Lead,  besides  Oils,  &c.  Messrs.  HARRISON,  BROTHERS  &  Co.'s 
establishment  dates  from  1812  ;  to  them  we  previously  referred. 
Messrs.  E.  DAVIS  &  RIGCJS  are  also  a  well-known  firm. 

The  capital  invested  in  this  business  is  nearly  $1,000,000,  and 
the  annual  product  $960,000.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  nearly 
all  the  raw  material  used  is  imported — English  and  Spanish  Lead 
being  principally  employed — but  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the 
American  manufacturers,  particularly  those  of  Philadelphia,  have 
effectually  succeeded  in  stopping  the  importation  of  the  finished 
product.  No  painter  will  use  the  foreign  if  he  can  obtain  the 
Philadelphia  White  Lead.*  (See  APPENDIX.) 

*The  process  of  manufacturing  White  Lead  is  described  as  follows: — 
"The  Pig  Lead  is  melted  and  converted  into  sheets  by  a  very  simple  proc- 
ess. Each  workman  is  supplied  with  a  flat  piece  of  board,  of  about  three 
feet  in  length  and  five  inches  in  width,  which  has  raised  edges,  to  prevent 
the  metal,  in  a  melted  state,  from  passing  off  at  the  sides.  Standing  by  the 
side  of  the  furnace  with  this  board,  held  by  the  handle  in  one  hand,  and  with 
a  ladle  in  the  other,  the  metal  is  poured  over  it.  Being  held  at  a  consider- 
able inclination  it  passes  rapidly  off  into  the  kettle,  except  what  adheres  to 
the  bottom,  which  forms  the  sheet.  This  is  not  thicker  than  the  fiftieth 
part  of  an  inch.  Being  instantly  cooled,  it  is  turned  over  the  edge  of  n 
board  raised  to  a  level  with  the  hand,  when  the  mould  is  returned  at  once 
to  the  edge  of  the  kettle ;  and  the  ladle,  which  the  workman  still  holds,  is 
again  filled.  Thus  the  operation  goes  on  from  morning  till  night.  This  is 
the  first  process  in  the  manufacture  of  White  Lead.  The  sheets  are  next 
rolled  loosely  together,  in  a  sufficient  number  to  fill  a  pot  six  inches  in  dinm 


WHITE    LEAD.  217 

Another  branch  of  the  Paint  manufacture  consists  in  grinding 
White  Lead  and  Colored  Paints,  and  the  Chromes  and  other  col- 
ors in  oil,  in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of  Putty.  The 
principal  firms  engaged  in  this  business  are,  GEORGE  D.  WETHER- 
ILL  &  Co.,  JOHN  LUCAS  &  Co.,  ROBERT  SHOEMAKER  &  Co., 
BROWNING  &  BROTHERS,  FRENCH,  RICHARDS  <fe  Co.,  C.  SCHRACK. 
&  Co.,  and  JOHN  D.  SPEAR  &  SON.  Some  of  these  Paint  Mills  are 
most  complete  establishments,  and  have  every  appliance  for  carry- 
ing on  the  processes  successfully  and  advantageously.  The  an- 
nual product  is  at  least  $770,000. 

One  of  the  firms  mentioned,  Messrs.  JOHN  LUCAS  &  Co.,  in  ad- 
dition to  grinding  Paints,  &c.,  at  the  Eagle  Mills,  in  the  city,  are 
also  the  proprietors  of  the  New  Jersey  Zinc  and  Color  Works, 
Gibsboro',  N.  J.,  established  for  the  manufacture  of  an  Oxide  of 

eter.  Before  being  placed  in  the  pot  a  pint  of  strong  vinegar  is  put  into 
it,  which  the  metal  is  not  permitted  to  touch.  The  pots  are  then  stacked  in 
the  following  manner:  first  a  layer  of  manure  is  laid,  then  a  row  of  pots. 
On  the  top  of  the  pots,  boards  are  laid,  on  which  there  is  a  covering  of  ma- 
nure;  then  the  pots  again;  and  so  on  to  the  roof,  about  twenty  feet  in 
height.  A  stack  usually  comprises  from  twenty  to  thirty  tons  of  the  sheet 
lead,  besides  the  weight  of  the  pots,  vinegar,  boards,  &c. 

"  After  being  closed  up,  a  stack  is  left  undisturbed  for  about  two  weeks, 
during  which  period  a  somewhat  complicated  chemical  process  goes  on. 
The  manure  throws  off  heat,  which  raises  the  general  temperature  to  180° 
Fahrenheit,  and  the  vinegar  slowly  evaporates.  The  acid  vapor,  acting 
upon  the  lead,  it  first  becomes  an  oxide ;  then  an  acetate,  by  combining  with 
the  acetic  acid  vapor;  and  this  is  transformed  to  a  carbonate  by  carbonic 
acid  arising  from  the  manure.  Very  little  of  the  lead  remains  when  the 
stacks  are  taken  down.  The  contents  of  the  pots  are  now  found  to  be  a 
dry  bluish  mass,  which  crumbles  at  the  touch.  This  is  White  Lead  in  its 
rough  state.  Before  it  leaves  the  hands  of  the  manufacturer  it  goes 
through  a  variety  of  processes.  First,  it  is  passed  through  one  or  more 
sieves,  to  separate  from  it  what  little  of  the  lead  remains.  It  next  under- 
goes a  number  of  washings  in  troughs,  to  free  it  from  impurities ;  after 
which  it  is  put  into  a  kiln  and  dried.  From  this  it  is  conveyed  to  a  mill 
and  ground,  into  which,  at  the  same  time,  linseed  oil  is  led  by  means  of 
pipes.  Out  of  the  mill  the  White  Lead  comes  forth  in  its  pure  state,  not 
white  at  first,  however,  though  it  soon  becomes  so  after  exposure  to  the  at- 
mosphere. It  is  then  put  into  kegs  and  barrels,  and  is  ready  for  home  con- 
sumption or  transportation.  The  smallest  kegs  hold  twelve  and  a  half  pounds , 
the  largest  barrels  fifteen  hundred  pounds." 
17* 


218  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Zinc,  the  introduction  of  which,  as  a  White  Paint,  was  pronounced 
by  the  London  World's  Fair  Jurors,  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
jvents  in  the  recent  history  of  the  Chemical  Arts.  The  works 
were  considerably  extended  during  the  last  year,  and  have  now 
facilities  for  turning  out  annually  upward  of  2,000  tons  of  White 
Zinc  and  Colored  Paints,  Chrome  Greens,  Chrome  Yellows, 
Chinese  and  Prussian  Blues.  The  senior  member  of  the  firm 
now  resides  at  the  Works,  and  gives  his  whole  attention  to  the 
Manufacturing  and  Grinding  department.  They  have  recently 
brought  out  a  Zinc  Green,  fully  equal  to  the  article  manufactured 
in  France,  and  at  a  much  less  cost ;  it  has  a  body  equal  to  the 
best  Chrome  Green,  is  less  poisonous,  more  brilliant  and  durable. 
The  members  of  this  firm  came  to  Philadelphia  from  England,  in 
1849  ;  since  which  time  they  have  been  unremitting  in  their  en- 
deavors to  establish,  successfully,  the  manufacture  of  all  the  Euro- 
pean Painters'  Colors. 

GLUE,     CURLED     HAIR,     ETC. 

These  manufactures  are  essentially,  though  not  nominally  Chem- 
ical. They  subserve  a  peculiarly  useful  purpose,  by  converting 
substances  that  would  otherwise  be  almost  worthless,  into  products 
of  commercial  value.  The  refuse  and  offal  from  tanneries,  mo- 
rocco factories,  and  slaughter-houses,  used  by  Glue  and  Curled- 
hair  manufacturers,  are  not  generally  available  for  other  purposes; 
and  without  consumption  in  this  way,  would  be  troublesome  to 
remove  or  prove  nuisances  to  the  community. 

In  Philadelphia,  the  establishments  of  BAEDER,  DELANEY  & 
ADAMSON,  and  H.  GERKER,  SON  &  Co.,  are  very  extensive,  and 
their  productions  have  a  high  reputation  throughout  the  Union. 
KESLER  &  SMITH,  and  MORGAN  &  WELBANK,  are  also  well-known 
manufacturers  in  this  branch  of  business. 

The  product,  as  made  up  by  us,  is  as  follows  : — 

12,500  barrels  Glue,  at  $22, $275,000 

Curled  Hair, 300,000 

Raw-hide  Whips, 50,000 

Miscellaneous,  viz.,  Gelatine,  Sand  Paper,  Isinglass,  Plas- 
tering Hair,  Bristles,  Ac.       -        -        -        -        -        -  150,000 

Total,  -  ' $775,000 


&  GLUE — VARNISHES.  219 

The  capital  invested  approximates  $600,000,  as  extensive 
buildings  and  expensive  fixtures  are  required  ;  and  nearly  four 
hundred  persons  are  furnished  constant  employment,  receiving 
about  $85,000  annually,  in  wages.  The  consumption  of  coal  by 
tho  three  establishments  is  about  two  thousand  tons  yearly,  and 
of  lime  thirty  thousand  bushels. 

Philadelphia  has  peculiar  advantages  for  these  manufactures. 
The  climate  is  favorable,  and  the  Tanneries  of  Pennsylvania,  of 
which  there  are  an  immense  number,  furnish  an  abundant  supply 
of  raw  material ;  while  from  South  America,  the  importation  is 
direct — several  hundred  bales  being  imported  annually.  The 
articles  produced  are  distributed  throughout  the  country,  from 
the  East  to  the  West ;  and  are  exported  to  the  West  Indies, 
South  America,  and  the  Canadas. 

VARNISHES. 

Gum  Copal,  which  is  the  chief  article  in  the  preparation  of 
Copal  Varnishes,  is  a  singular  kind  of  resin,  that  exudes  naturally 
from  different  large  trees  in  the  East  Indies  and  other  places,  and 
is  imported  in  a  crude  state,  principally  to  Salem,  Mass.,  where 
it  is  cleaned  and  prepared  for  use.  Of  Varnishes  there  are  four 
principal  kinds,  designated  as  Coach,  Cabinet,  Japan,  and  Spirit 
Varnish,  though  of  each  there  are  many  qualities.  There  are 
also  four  principal  manufacturers  of  Varnishes  in  Philadelphia — 
C.  SCHRACK  &  Co.,  B.  C.  HORNOR  &  Co.,  G.  S.  MAYER  &  Co., 
and  H.  R.  WOOD  &  Co.  The  first-named  firm  are  the  oldest  es- 
tablished in  the  manufacture  in  the  United  States,  and  now 
produce  a  Coach-body  Varnish,  which  is  pronounced  by  compe- 
tent judges  to  be  in  all  respects  equal  to  the  best  English  Var- 
nish, for  the  same  purpose.  Since  the  decease  of  Mr.  Schrack, 
the  business  is  conducted  by  Mr.  JOSEPH  STULB,  who  has  had 
twenty-two  years  experience  in  the  profession. 

The  prices  of  Varnish  range  from  90  cents  for  Japan  or  Iron 
Varnish,  to  $4,  for  Coach-body ;  averaging  $2  per  gallon.  The 
production  in  1851  was  115,000  gallons,  worth  $230,000. 

Our  statistical  summary  of  Chemicals,  and  the  products  of 
Pharmaceutical  processes,  is  as  follows  : — 


220  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Chemicals,  including  Dye  Stuffs,  Chrome  Colors,  and  Extracts,     -         $3,335,000 

Medicines — prepared  remedies  of  Druggists  and  Chemists,  (estimated,)       300,000 

"            Patent  or  Proprietary,                                                   "  1,000,000 

White  Lead,         ..........  960,000 

Zinc  Paints,  and  products  of  Paint  Mills,     .....  770,000 

Glue,  Curled  Hair,  <fec.          ........  775,000 

Vwnishes,             ------....  230,000 

Total, -        -         $7,370,000 

XI. 

Clothing— Ready-made. 

Within  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  a  most  important  and  com- 
plete revolution  has  been  effected  in  the  Tailoring  business,  by 
the  introduction  of  Ready-made  Clothing.  Some  twenty-five 
years  ago  the  only  Clothing  kept  for  sale  was  that  which  is  known 
as  "  Slop  Clothing,"  for  seamen.  But  the  inconvenience  attend- 
ing delays  and  misfits  on  the  part  of  tailors — the  advantages  of 
procuring  a  wardrobe  at  a  moment's  notice — the  ability  of  mer- 
chants to  manufacture  and  supply  Clothing  equally  as  good,  but 
much  cheaper,  at  wholesale  than  to  order,  led  to  the  establishment 
of  this  as  a  distinct  branch  of  business.  In  1835,  the  wholesale 
manufacture  of  Clothing  in  the  United  States  was  first  entered 
into,  to  any  considerable  extent,  principally  in  the  city  of  J^ew 
York  ;  but  many  of  those  who  then  engaged  in  it  were  prostrated 
by  the  commercial  disasters  of  '37.  In  1840  the  trade  was  re-es- 
tablished and  increased ;  and  since  then  has  continued  to  enlarge 
and  increase,  until  its  present  extent  exceeds  ordinary  belief. 
We  need,  however,  only  point  to  the  number  of  stores  devoted  to 
the  business,  to  illustrate  the  popularity  of  the  system. 

One  great  benefit  to  the  community,  resulting  from  the  success 
of  the  Clothing  manufacture,  is  the  immense  field  of  employment  it 
opens  for  the  poor,  especially  for  females.  The  poor  of  our  large 
cities  are  thus  supplied  with  a  never-failing  source  of  occupation. 
Some  of  the  other  cities  have  a  large  portion  of  their  stock  man- 
ufactured in  the  rural  districts ;  but  Philadelphia  Clothiers  deem 
it  better  policy  to  employ  the  population  of  their  own  city,  and  so 
far  as  possible  to  have  the  work  done  in  their  own  establishments, 
being  certain  of  having  it  better  and  more  neatly  done  than  in  the 
country.  The  prices  paid  to  employees,  it  is  true,  are  not  a  very 


CLOTHING READY-MADE.  221 

munificent  remuneration  for  labor ;  bat  by  respectable  Clothiers 
no  advantage  is  taken  of  the  necessities  of  the  helpless.  Excep- 
tional cases  there  undoubtedly  are,  in  which  the  poor  are  op- 
pressed ;  but  we  are  convinced  the  business  principles  of  our 
respectable  Clothiers,  accord  with  the  principles  of  humanity } 
and  that  the  females  they  employ  are  paid  reasonably  fair  prices. 
To  this  conclusion  we  are  not  led  by  mere  assertion  of  the  man- 
ufacturers :  we  are  convinced  by  an  examination  of  their  books. 
At  the  leading  establishments  we  found  that  women  earn  from  $3 
to  $6  per  week.  Those  who  make  but  three  dollars  make  the 
coarser  articles,  or  are  unexperienced  in  needle-work.  Women 
of  neatness,  industry,  and  taste,  can  make  $5  to  $6,  on  fine  vests. 
The  average  earnings  are  about  $4.  For  making  a  silk  vest, 
62^-  cents  to  $1  is  paid.  For  the  commonest  pants,  which  are 
thrown  together,  25  to  3T  cents  are  paid  ;  and  two  pairs  a  day 
is  the  average  product. 

Coats,  and  finer  kinds  of  work,  except  vests,  are  made  during 
the  dull  seasons  of  the  year  by  tailors,  who  at  other  times  are  em- 
ployed in  fashionable  shops  at  higher  rates.  This  ensures  good 
work  at  cheap  rates.  The  wages  earned  by  these  vary  from  $6 
to  $10  a  week ;  but  as  most  of  them  have  families,  the  earnings 
of  their  wives  and  children  always  amount  to  something  in  addi- 
tion. The  cutting  is  a  trade  in  itself,  and  requires  talents  of  a  pe- 
culiar kind.  In  the  good  Clothing  warehouses,  the  men  employed 
in  this  department  are  all  of  long  experience  and  undoubted 
ability. 

One  feature  of  the  Ready-made  Clothing  manufacture,  pecu- 
liarly deserving  of  commendation,  is  the  thorough  system  with 
which  the  operations  are  conducted.  In  the  large  establishments 
every  thing  is  carried  on  with  the  regularity  of  clock-work.  As 
soon  as  a  piece  of  cloth  has  been  received  into  the  store,  it  is 
carefully  examined,  and  the  blemished  portions,  if  any,  withdrawn. 
After  this  examination,  each  piece  is  taken  to  the  superintendent, 
with  a  memorandum  of  the  quantity  it  contains,  its  cost,  of  whom 
purchased,  &c.,  all  of  which  is  entered  in  a  book;  also,  the  num- 
ber and  description  of  garments  to  be  made ;  how  trimmed ;  name 
of  cutter,  price  of  making,  &c.  It  is  then  passed  to  the  cutter, 
who  receives  directions  as  to  the  kind,  style,  and  size  of  the  article 


222  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

to  be  made  ;  and  after  being  cut,  the  pieces  are  handed  over  to 
the  trimmer,  who  supplies  buttons,  thread,  lining,  &c.  The  goods 
are  then  received  by  one  of  the  foremen,  who  gives  them  out  to 
be  sewed  and  finished  ;  and  on  their  return  they  are  examined  by 
him.  and  forwarded  to  the  sales  department. 

The  extent  of  the  Dry-Goods  manufacture,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Philadelphia,  particularly  of  that  class  of  goods  which  forms  the 
raw  material  of  the  cheaper  kinds  of  Clothing,  gives  the  Clothiers 
great  advantages  in  procuring  materials  on  the  most  favorable 
terms,  direct  from  the  manufactory,  without  charges  for  transporta- 
tion. In  several  descriptions  of  Ready-made  Clothing,  therefore, 
the  prices  in  this  city  are  considerably  below  those  in  any  other 
market.  Between  the  respective  dealers,  however,  no  difference 
is  said  to  exist.* 

The  advertisements  of  the  trade  constitute  a  novelty  in  them- 
selves, and  a  new  department  of  literature.  History,  Metaphys- 
ics, Poetry,  and  Science,  are  made  to  contribute  to  the  sale  of 
coats  and  trowsers.  Milton  becomes  a  salesman,  Shakspeare  can- 
vasses for  Stokes,  and  Thomas  Carlyle  has  buttoned  up  his  pro- 
foundest  philosophy  in  Clothing.  The  "  Bard  of  Tower  Hall" 

•  If  we  were  a  tourist  find  disposed  to  jump  at  conclusions,  we  would 
say  there  was  less  rivalry  and  jealousy  existing  among  the  manufacturers  of 
Clothing  than  in  any  other  branch  of  industry  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 
In  reply  to  our  inquiry,  at  two  of  the  leading  establishments,  Messrs.  AR- 
NOLD, NOSBAUM  &  NIRULINGER,  and  A.  T.  LANE&  Co.,  as  to  the  distinctive 
features  of  their  business,  neither,  to  our  great  surprise,  were  willing  to 
admit  that  they  differed  in  any  very  important  particulars  from  their  neigh- 
bors. Messrs.  LANE  &  Co.  stated  that  they  did  not  deal  in  piece  goods,  and 
that  their  facilities  for  procuring  materials  on  favorable  terms,  perhaps 
through  a  connection  with  a  leading  Dry-Goods  house,  were  undoubtedly 
unsurpassed;  but  their  business,  in  its  general  features,  was  like  that  of 
their  neighbors.  Messrs.  ARNOLD,  NUSBAUM  &  NIRDLINGER,  stated  that  prob- 
ably a  larger  proportion  of  their  stock  was  made  on  their  own  premise?, 
under  more  immediate  personal,  careful,  rigid  supervision,  than  is  customary  ; 
and  their  connections  with  various  portions  of  the  country  were  quite  ns 
extensive  as  any  other;  but  they  would  not  desire  to  be  mentioned  at  all, 
except  as  representatives  of  the  general  trade.  (See  APPENDIX.) 

This  language  being  so  different  from  that  which  we  are  accustomed  to 
hear,  was  as  refreshing  as  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  a  weary  traveler,  or  a 
gleam  of  sunshine  to  the  storm-tossed  mariner. 


CLOTHING — READY-MADE.  223 

is  oiivj  of  the  most  popular  of  modern  poets,  and  weekly  exhibits 
the  Muse  in  plaid  pants,  and  a  swallow-tailed  coat.  One  method 
of  advertising,  which  originated  in  this  city,  is  the  publication  of 
a  Bulletin  of  Fashion,  which  our  principal  establishments  furnish 
gratuitously  to  their  distant  patrons.  This  is  a  large  and  beau- 
tiful lithograph,  containing  the  latest  styles  of  about  twenty- 
four  garments;  and  also  the  styles  of  the  previous  season  for 
those  who  do  not  wish  the  very  latest;  each  garment  being  num- 
bered to  facilitate  orders.  We  have  been  assured  that  country 
merchants  have  found  this  sheet  of  so  much  service,  both  in  mak- 
ing their  purchases  and  sales,  that  it  may  justly  be  considered  an 
advertisement  of  as  much  benefit  to  the  buyer  as  to  the  seller. 

Still  another  means  adopted  by  Clothiers  to  attract  public  at- 
tention, is  the  production  of  novelties  in  Clothing.  One  has  made 
up  a  coat  of  double  pilot-cloth,  adapted  for  wearing  either  side 
outward,  of  a  different  color.  Another  has  manufactured  a  suit 
of  clothes  from  black-dyed  and  prepared  sheep-skins  ;  a  third  has 
produced  an  Alpaca  coat,  sufficiently  light  and  portable  to  be 
carried  in  the  pocket ;  a  fourth  has  attached  a  shirt-collar  to  a 
waistcoat ;  and  a  fifth  has  imitated  the  richly-embroidered  and 
fur-lined  leather  coats,  in  use  in  the  northern  parts  of  Europe. 
Notwithstanding  all  this  exercise,  the  genius  of  invention,  we 
have  reason  to  believe,  is  not  exhausted. 

The  goods  which  form  the  bulk  of  the  manufacture  in  Philadel- 
phia, are  those  styles,  sizes,  and  qualities,  peculiarly  adapted  to 
the  wants  of  distant  sections — the  West,  and  Southwest.  To  con- 
duct such  a  business  successfully  necessarily  requires  a  large  cap- 
ital, for  the  manufacturing  must  be  commenced  some  four  months 
before  the  selling  season ;  and  as  the  term  of  credit  usually 
given  is  six  or  eight  months,  the  Clothier  cannot  realize  from  his 
investments  in  a  less  average  time  than  a  year.  It  is  remarkable, 
therefore,  and  evidence  of  the  general  solvency  of  the  trade,  that 
so  few  succumbed  to  the  late  severe  monetary  pressure. 

The  minor  subdivisions  of  the  Ready-made  Clothing  manu- 
facture, deserve  some  consideration.  The  principal  are — Boys' 
Clothing,  Shirts,  Collars  and  Bosoms ;  and  certain  kinds  of  La- 
dies Clothing,  as  Mantillas,  Corsets,  &c. 

In  several  of  the  establishments,  Youths'  and  Boys'  Clothing 
I'vdi r.'csb  ?,i  ifoh.'w  .!•<  ii  rn  (,cVJ  yil;  oJ  griirm'Wr.  ai'»jl)  -^ull'mtuu-j  ,»ir.'.\  ; 


224  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

is  a  department  of  the  general  business ;  but  it  is  also  a  manufac- 
ture in  itself,  with  its  own  fashions,  styles,  stores,  and  customers. 
The  fashions  and  styles  are  generally  original  with  the  makers ; 
and  so  highly  are  many  of  them  appreciated  abroad,  that  it  is  no 
uncommon  thing  for  French  Modistes  to  transfer  them  to  their 
own  fashion-plates,  claiming  them  as  of  their  own  invention,  and 
purely  Parisian.  This  class  of  Clothing  is  well  worthy  the  at- 
tention of  Country  merchants,  who  will  not  only  find  a  ready 
sale  for  it,  but  have  the  satisfaction  of  introducing  improved  pat- 
terns to  a  whole  neighborhood. 

The  manufacture  of  Shirts  and  Shirt  Collars,  is  now  a  distinct 
organized  and  extensive  branch  of  industry.  In  Philadelphia  it 
furnishes  at  least  three  thousand  persons  with  constant  employ- 
ment— counting  solely  the  wholesale  establishments,  and  those 
retailers  who  do  partly  a  wholesale  business.  The  Shirts  made 
include  every  variety,  from  the  cheapest — and  it  is  claimed  by 
disinterested  persons,  that  the  low-priced  article  is  cheaper  than 
that  made  in  New  England— to  the  "  Shoulder  Seam"  Shirts  of 
WINCHESTER  &  Co.,  Chestnut  street,  of  which  the  price  ranges 
from  $60  down  to  $12  per  dozen.  This  firm  also  makes  Cottars 
of  the  better  qualities. 

The  manufacture  of  Shirt  Collars  and  Bosoms  is  often  a  busi- 
ness disconnected  from  that  of  Shirts,  and  has  attained  a  rapid 
development  since  the  introduction  of  Sewing  and  Stitching  Ma- 
chines. Hand  needle-work  would  be  totally  incapable  of  meet- 
ing the  demand.  Besides,  the  machines  perform  with  more  uni- 
formity and  durability  than  is  possible  by  hand,  and  relieve 
females  of  the  most  laborious,  unhealthy,  and  least  lucrative  por- 
tion of  the  work.  In  enameling  Collars  and  Bosoms,  at  least  one 
house  in  this  city  adopts  the  method  peculiar  to  Troy,  N.  Y., 
imparting  a  rare  and  distinctive  gloss.* 

*  The  house  alluded  to  is  that  of  EDWIN  A.  KELLEY,  16  Bank  street.  In 
his  establishment,  which  is  one  of  the  most  complete  in  the  country,  sever- 
al hundred  hands  are  employed  throughout  the  year,  and  forty  Sewing 
machines  kept  constantly  running,  manufacturing  Shirts  from  $5  to  $40 
per  dozen.  His  attention,  it  will  be  perceived,  is  given  mainly  to  the  finer 
grades  of  goods,  but  prepared  exclusively  for  the  Wholesale  Jobbing  trade. 
He  has  also  a  large  establishment  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  manufactures 
Collars,  euameling  them  according  to  the  Troy  method,  which  is  described 


CLOTHING — READY-MADE.  225 

Of  Ladies  Clothing,  the  two  articles  which  can  properly  be  said  to 
form  a  department  of  the  Ready-made  Clothing  trade,  are  Man- 
tillas and  Corsets.  The  manufacture  of  the  latter  has,  within  a  few 
years,  become  a  considerable  branch  of  industry.  Large  quantities 
are  woven  by  machinery,  and  in  some  instances  without  seams. 
They  are  also  combined  with  Anatomical  Bandages  or  Supports; 
and  generally  it  may  be  said,  that  the  shape  and  make  have  been 
very  much  improved,  while  the  price  has  been  much  reduced. 
The  manufacture  of  Cloaks  and  Mantillas,  as  a  wholesale  business, 
dates  its  introduction  into  this  country  within  the  last  ten  years. 
So  popular,  however,  has  the  system  become  that  many  Country 
merchants,  instead  of  purchasing  velvets  as  formerly,  now  pur- 
chase Cloaks,  Talmas,  and  Mantillas,  made  in  the  latest  styles  in 
the  centres  of  fashion. 

The  statistics  of  the  Ready-made  Clothing  manufacture,  in 
Philadelphia,  are  stated  approximately  as  follows: — 

Capital  invested,  .......         $3,300,000 

Wages  paid  annually,     ..-.-..  2,800,000 

Product,  as  follows : 

Sixty-seven  firms,  or  all  whose  annual  manufacture  of 
Clothing  exceeds  $40,000  per  annum,  make  to  the 
amount  of  -.-.....  6,040,000 

All  others,  (estimated  by  a  leading  manufacturer,)     -        -        3,600,000 


$9,640,000 

Shirts,  Collars,  and  Bosoms,  .....  937,500 

Gentlemen's  Furnishing  Goods,       .....  250,000 

Mantillas  and  Corsets,  ......  330,000 


Total, $11,157,500 

as  follows.  The  apparatus  used  for  ironing  consists  first  of  a  grooved  roller, 
suited  to  the  shape  of  the  collar,  and  covered  with  flannel.  The  iron  is 
beveled  to  fit  the  groove,  and  is  warmed  by  a  red-hot  heater  placed  in  a  cav- 
ity ;  this  iron  is  secured  to  the  short  arm  of  a  lever,  which  is  attached  to 
another  lever  or  treddle,  one  end  of  which  is  fastened  to  the  floor.  The 
attendant,  by  pressing  with  her  foot  upon  one  end  of  the  lower  lever,  is  enabled 
to  use  grent  power,  while  she  turns  the  wooden  roller  on  which  the  collar 
is  placed.  This  great  pressure  aids  in  giving  the  gloss;  though  great  care 
and  skill,  and  materials  of  the  best  quality,  are  requisite  to  ensure  the  high- 
est polish. 

IS 


226  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XII. 

Confectionery. 

The  word  Confectioner,  and  the  terra  Confectioneries,  occur  in 
the  Scriptures  in  a  form  denoting,  that  the  making  of  sweet  prep- 
arations was  an  established  art  in  the  time  of  Samuel.  (1  Sam- 
uel, viii.  13.)  The  business  of  preparing  them,  however,  it  seems, 
was  then,  and  until  within  two  centuries  ago,  confined  to  physi- 
cians and  apothecaries,  who  used  honey  or  sugar,  principally  for 
disguising  disagreeable  medicines,  and  pharraaceutically  in  making 
syrups,  electuaries,  &c.  We  presume  that  the  separation  which 
has  taken  place  between  the  arts  of  preparing  conserves  and  the 
compounding  of  drugs,  was  originally  instigated  by  the  ladies  or 
the  juveniles,  both  of  whom,  like  saucy  boarders,  prefer  their  flies 
on  a  separate  plate. 

The  manufacture  of  Confectionery,  in  its  modern  development, 
as  practiced  in  England  and  the  United  States,  bears  the  distinc- 
tive artistic  characteristics  of  French  ingenuity  and  invention. 
In  no  other  country  does  the  preparation  of  sugar,  as  a  luxury, 
absorb  so  much  mental  attention,  and  afford  a  livelihood  to  so 
many  persons.  It  is  a  long  established  custom  for  French  gen- 
tlemen to  present  the  ladies  of  their  acquaintance,  on  New  Year's 
Day,  with  a  box  of  sweetmeats  ;  and  so  faithfully  and  generally 
does  the  custom  continue  to  be  observed,  that  in  Paris  two  thou- 
sand persons  find  regular  employment  in  making  Confectioner's 
fancy  boxes,  the  most  of  which  are  distributed  on  that  single  day. 
The  ingenuity  and  invention  of  the  French  manufacturer,  says 
some  one,  are  inexhaustible  ;  "  Every  season  he  produces  some  nov- 
elty, and  for  years  this  competition  has  continued  between  him- 
self and  his  rivals,  and  yet  there  is  no  abatement  of  his  ardor  or 
his  success  ;  now  his  production  consists  of  a  new  box;  now  of 
some  intricate  interlacing  of  fruits;  now  of  some  wonderful  crys- 
tallizations, and  now  of  some  new  mode  of  concealing  the  motto ; 
but  in  most  cases,  his  art  is  exerted  tastefully  to  introduce  a  look- 
ing-glass." But  the  competition  that  has  existed  between  himself 
and  his  rivals,  though  it  may  not  have  abated  his  ardor,  has  in- 
duced him  to  resort  to  some  very  reprehensible  practices.  To 
give  a  more  exquisite  flavor  to  his  essences,  or  to  secure  vivid- 


CONFECTIONERY.  227 

ness  and  durability  of  color  to  his  confections,  he  has  not  hesi- 
tated to  use  the  most  noxious  and  poisonous  substances — as  ver- 
digris and  other  poisons.  An  eminent  English  physician  testifies 
that  he  detected,  by  post-mortem  examination,  the  essential  oil 
of  bitter  almonds  in  the  stomach  of  one  who  had  suddenly  died 
after  partaking  of  some  French  sweetmeats.  To  such  an  extent 
had  the  use  of  deleterious  mineral  substances  been  carried  in 
the  manufacture  of  Confectionery,  particularly  for  exportation, 
that  the  French  Government  interfered,  prescribing  what  colors 
the  Confectioners  might  use.  This  list  of  permissible  sub- 
stances, however,  contains  so  many  of  suspicious  origin,  that 
henceforth  we  much  prefer,  and  declare  for,  the  more  pure  and 
safe,  if  less  brilliant  Confectionery  made  in  Philadelphia. 

REPORT. 

"  Permit  first  a  word  of  explanation.  When  yon  did  me  the  honor 
to  compliment  my  detective  powers,  by  stating  they  were  in  demand 
to  unravel  the  mysteries  of  the  Confectionery  business,  I  must  confess 
that  I  had  supposed  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  ascertaining  who 
are  manufacturing  Confectioners.  I  was  even  verdant  enough  to 
suppose,  that  the  advertisements  in  the  newspapers  would,  at  least, 
furnish  some  indication,  whether  there  were  many  or  few ;  and  I  took 
up  my  evening  paper,  the  Bulletin,  with  confident  expectation  of  ac- 
quiring considerable  information  on  the  subject.  I  was  delighted  to 
observe  at  the  first  glance,  well  displayed,  the  announcement — "  NEW 
CONFECTIONS  ;  ORIENTAL  NONGAT,  (one  dollar  per  pound) ;  SHERBET 
DROPS  ;  BANANA  DROPS,  (fifty  cents  per  pound).  STEPHEN  F.  WHIT- 
MAN, Manufacturing  Confectioner,  1210  Market  st.,  West  of  Twelfth" 
I  looked  further,  column  after  column,  and  would  you  believe  it,  fouud 
not  another  Confectioner's  advertisement.  Imagine  my  perplexity. 
Could  it  be  possible  that  there  was  only  one  manufacturing  Confectioner 
in  Philadelphia.  If  so,  what  a  nabob  he  must  be.  Thirty  millions  of 
people  who  consume  each  at  least  fifty  cents  worth  of  candy  in  a  year — 
that  is,  fifteen  millions  of  dollars  a  year :  and  a  fair  proportion  of  the  quan- 
tity purchased  is  known  to  be  obtained  in  Philadelphia.  Can  it  be  pos- 
sible this  Mr.  Whitman  supplies  them  all  ?  I  called  on  Mr.  Whitman, 
and  he  frankly  told  me  that  though  lie  did  a  fair  share  of  business,  as  he 
deserves  to  do,  and  believed  he  was  one  of  the  largest  manufacturers  of 
fine  Confectionery  in  Philadelphia,  there  were  many  others,  mention- 
ing REN^ELS,  RICHARDSON,  MILLER,  HENRION,  and  others.  I  called  on 
them,  and  they  informed  me  of  others ;  and  these  again  of  still  more ;  untij 


223  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

sick  and  surfeited,  that  night  I  saw  in  my  dreams  a  delegation  of  Con- 
fectioners, with  Whitman  at  their  head,  coming  to  souse  me  in  a  cal- 
dron of  boiling  candy.  The  results  of  my  observations,  continued,  how- 
ever, for  a  long  period  subsequently,  are  as  follows  : 

"  There  arfl  about  two  hundred  Confectioners  in  Philadelphia, 
the  most  of  whom  manufacture  to  some  extent — the  business  being 
done  not  by  a  few  very  large  concerns,  but  diffused  among  a  number 
of  small  ones.  The  makers,  in  most  instances,  know  who  will  proba- 
bly be  the  purchasers  and  consumers  of  their  candy,  and  therefore  take 
pains  to  have  it  pure  and  first-rate  in  quality.  Sixteen  of  the  whole- 
sale manufacturers  used,  in  1857,  1,400,000  Ibs.  of  sugar,  costing,  say 
$147,000,  and  which  made  1,400,000  Ibs.  of  Candy,  worth  on  an  aver- 
age 18  cents  per  pound,  or  $252,000.  A  fair  average  product  for  the 
others — some  making  much  more,  and  some  less,  is  $2,000  per  year  ;  or 
for  all  $368,000.  About  one  half  of  the  Confectioners  in  Philadelphia 
operate  in  the  finer  branches  of  Ices,  Jellies,  Pieces  Montees,  &c.,  to 
the  extent,  on  an  average,  of  $4,000  each,  or  $400,000  for  all ;  and  the 
number  of  persons  employed  in  said  one  hundred  establishments  will 
average  five  each,  or  five  hundred  in  all.  In  addition  to  the  regular 
trade,  there  is  an  immense  business  done,  during  seven  or  eight  months 
in  the  year,  by  the  country  people,  who  bring  in  Ice  Creams  by  thou- 
sands of  gallons,  which  they  vend  in  the  markets,  or  serve  to  the  hun- 
dreds of  cake-shops,  and  other  occasional  depots  ;  and  thus  diverting 
large  quantities  of  material  from  the  customary  objects  of  milk,  cream, 
butter,  &c.,  causing  a  great  increase  in  the  prices  of  those  articles. 
This  however  cannot  be  enumerated,  and  the  product  is  stated  as  fol- 
lows : 

Sugar  Confectionery,  including  Molasses  Candy,         $620,000 
Pieces  Monties,  &c., 400,000 


Total, $1,020,000 

"  In  point  of  Wholesale  Candy  Manufacture,  New  York,  of  course, 
is  far  in  advance  of  Philadelphia ;  but  in  the  ornamental  branches, 
Pieces  Monties  in  particular,  the  quality  of  the  Ices,  Jellies,  <fec.,  and 
Patisserie  in  general,  Philadelphia  is  unquestionably  superior  to  the 
former  city,  or  any  other  in  the  Union.  The  French  Confectionery, 
made  in  this  city,  is  also  of  surpassing  excellence  and  beauty. 

"  Now,  as  a  partial  compensation  for  the  trouble  I  have  given  the 
Confectioners,  I  desire  to  offer  them  a  hint,  borrowed  from  my  Turkish 
experience.  In  Turkey,  there  is  a  preparation  known  as  Rahatlocoum, 
in  great  favor  with  the  Turkish  ladies,  from  its  alleged  property  of 
developing  those  proportions  of  figure  which,  in  that  enlightened 


CONFECTIONERY.  229 

country,  are  deemed  a  most  essential  attribute  of  female  beauty.  The 
preparation  is  of  the  most  agreeable  flavor,  and  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing innocent  materials  :  one  part  of  wheat  starch,  six  parts  of  sugar, 
and  twelve  parts  of  water.  These  are  boiled  together  for  some  time  ; 
and  when  the  mixture  has  lost  so  much  of  the  water  by  evaporation 
that  it  will  congeal  to  an  elastic  jujube-like  mass,  it  is  run  into  a  flat 
tray  and  allowed  to  cool ;  sometimes  blanched  almonds  are  mixed  with 
it.  About  six  hundred  tons  of  Rahatlocoum  are  made  annually  in  Tur- 
key. There  is  a  fortune  in  the  suggestion  for  some  of  our  Confec- 
tioners. 

"  Flavoring  Extracts,  for  flavoring  Pies,  Puddings,  Cakes,  &c.,  are 
made  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  are  said  to  possess  all  the  freshness 
and  delicacy  of  the  fruits  from  which  they  are  prepared.  Artificial  Es- 
sences for  flavoring  Syrups,  &c.,  are  also  made,  but  from  less  agreeable 
and  desirable  materials,  as  the  makers  can  testify." 

The  branch  of  the  conserve  art,  for  which  the  TJnited  States 
received  the  most  credit  at  the  World's  Fair,  in  London,  was 
the  preservation  of  soft  fruits  in  brandy.  The  Peach  is  the  fa- 
vorite conserve  ;  and  in  this  city,  which  has  unsurpassed  facilities 
for  procuring  the  best  fruits,  the  business  is  carried  on  largely 
and  successfully,  considerable  quantities  being  exported  every 
year  to  England  and  other  countries. 

The  London  Fancy  Cake  Bakers  occasionally  make  some  very 
successful  attempts  to  produce  gigantic  Bride  cakes  ;  and  exhibited 
at  the  World's  Fair  at  least  three,  varying  in  valne  from  $150  to 
no  less  a  sum  than  $750.  One  it  is  said  possessed  the  advantage 
of  movable  ornaments;  so  that  after  the  cake  has  disappeared, 
the  sugar  may  be  transmitted,  like  the  silk  dresses  of  our  ances- 
tors, as  an  heir-loom  from  the  grandmother  to  her  grand-daughter. 
But  the  greatest  achievement,  in  the  way  of  large  cakes,  we  think, 
was  that  made  some  years  ago  by  Mr.  Parkinson,  of  Philadelphia, 
for  a  Franklin  Institute  Exhibition.  It  was  about  the  size  of  an 
ordinary  cart-wheel,  and  weighed  about  1,200  Ibs.  The  ingre- 
dients were  as  follows,  viz. :  120  dozen  eggs,  150  Ibs.  butter,  150 
Ibs.  flour,  150  Ibs.  sugar,  and  500  Ibs.  of  fruits  ;  besides  the  icing 
and  ornamentation. 

Within  the  last  few  years,  the  demand  for  costly  banquets  has 
tested  the  inventive  genius  of  our  Confectioners,  aud  called  forth 
18* 


230  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

some  wonderful  displays.     Among  the  remarkable  and  expensive 
festivals,  we  recall  to  recollection  the  following : — 

The  dinner  to  Capt.  Matthews,  of  the  pioneer  Steamship  City  of 

Glasgow,  at  the  Chinese  Museum,  cost          ....  $4,900 

Kossuth  banquet,  at  United  States  Hotel,         ....  2,000 

Henry  Clay  ball  supper,           .---.__  1,500 
Consolidation  ball  supper  for  4,500  persons — cost,  exclusive  of 

wines,  Ac., -  3,500 

But  the  model  festival  of  all,  perhaps,  ever  got  up  in  modern 
times,  was  one  furnished  by  Mr.  Parkinson,  at  his  present  estab- 
lishment, on  Eighth  St.,  in  the  spring  of  1852,  it  being  a  return 
complimentary  entertainment,  given  by  fifteen  gentlemen,  "  mer- 
chant princes"  of  Philadelphia,  to  a  like  number  of  "eminences" 
of  New  York,  making  thirty  persons  in  all.  No  price  was  named, 
but  a  carte  blanche  given  to  the  accomplished  caterer,  who  set 
his  wits  to  work — procuring  green  peas  and  strawberries  from 
the  South,  salmon  and  other  rarities  from  the  East,  and  every 
luxury  and  epicurean  delicacy  from  the  earth,  air,  and  flood  ; 
while  a  fourth  element  was  scientifically  employed  to  adapt  the 
whole  to  the  gratification  of  the  human  palate.  The  saloon  was 
decorated  in  the  most  elegant  manner;  while  gold,  silver,  china, 
and  glass  of  the  most  costly  and  beautiful  styles,  flashed  and  glit- 
tered on  the  board.  The  feast  was  composed  of  twenty  separate 
courses,  each  with  its  appropriate  liquors,  wines,  and  liqueurs, 
designated  in  a  bill  of  fare,  or  rather  programme,  which  of  itself 
was  a  perfect  curiosity  of  beauty  and  taste,  comprising  a  highly 
ornamented  and  illuminated  page  for  each  course.  The  cost  of 
this  memorable  entertainment  was  exactly  $1,000  1 

XIII. 

Distilling  and  Rectifying. 

The  consumption  of  Spirituous  Liquors,  both  as  a  luxury  and 
in  the  arts,  is  so  vast  that  their*  manufacture  necessarily  involves 
considerations  of  great  commercial  importance.  According  to 
the  census  of  1850,  the  manufacture  of  Malt  and  Spirituous 
Liquors  employs  a  capital  of  $8,334,254;  consumes  3,787,195 
bushels  of  barley,  11,067,761  bushels  of  corn,  2,143,927  bushels 
rye,  56,517  bushels  oats,  526,840  bushels  of  apples,  61,675  hhds 


DISTILLING    AND    RECTIFYING.  231 

of  molasses,  1,294  tons  of  hops ;  furnishes  employment  to  5,487 
persons,  and  produces  1,177,924  barrels  of  Ale,  &c.,  42,133,955 
gallons  of  Whisky  and  High  Wines,  and  6,500,500  gallons  of 
Rum.  The  centre  of  the  Whisky  manufacture  is  probably  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  for  we  notice  that,  in  1856,  there  were  distilled  in 
that  city  and  vicinity,  19,260,245  gallons  of  proof  Whisky;  con 
siiming,  if  we  allow  one  bushel  of  corn  to  every  three  gallons  of 
Spirits,  6,420,082  bushels  of  corn.  In  Philadelphia  there  are 
but  five  concerns  engaged  in  distilling  Whisky  from  rye,  corn,  &c. 
They  have  a  capital  employed  of  nearly  $500,000,  and  in  1857 
produced  2,100,000  gallons,  worth  on  an  average  30  cents  per 
gallon,  or  $630,000.  The  Distillery  of  FREEMAN  &  SIMPSON, 
on  the  Schuylkill  River,  having  a  capacity  of  400  barrels  per 
week,  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  complete  in  the  country  for 
the  distillation  of  fine  Rye  Whiskies,  to  which  they  confine 
themselves  almost  exclusively. 

The  leading  business  connected  with  the  manufacture  of  Spirit- 
uous Liquors  in  Philadelphia,  is  Rectifying  Whisky.  There  are 
at  least  eight  firms  very  extensively  engaged  in  this  pursuit;  and 
many  others,  who  rectify  from  five  to  forty  barrels  per  week. 
The  capital  invested  is  $1,250,000  ;  and  the  product,  in  1857, 
was  7,650,000  gallons,  which,  at  33  cents  per  gallon,  amounted 
to  $2,524,500.  The  principal  firms  are  JOHN  GIBSON,  SONS  &  Co., 
KIRKPATRICK,  DE  HAVEN  &  Co.,  FREEMAN  &  SIMPSON,  WHITE 
&  HENTZ,  B.  F.  &  H.  HUDDY,  WM.  WALLACE,  COLLINS,  ROCKA- 
FELLOW  &  Co.,  H.  &  H.  W.  CATHERWOOD,  and  A.  J.  CATHERWOOD. 
The  first-named,  Messrs.  Gibson,  Sons  &  Co.,  are  the  most  exten- 
sive Rectifiers,  having  a  capital  exceeding  $350,000  employed  in 
this  business,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  their  well-known  supe- 
rior Monongahela  Whisky,  at  their  extensive  works  recently 
erected  on  th«  Monongahela  River.  Their  trade  lies  chiefly  in 
the  principal  cities  of  the  Sonthern  States  ;  and  perhaps  no  firm 
has  been  more  active  and  liberal  to  extend  trade  in  that  section 
of  the  country  than  they.  But  al.  the  firms  named  control  a  large 
capital,  and  can  keep  their  liquors  in  store  until  time  imparts 
that  flavor  which  it  is  said  age  alone  can  give.  Besides  Whisky 
and  Spirits,  Cordials  and  Baywater  are  made  to  the  amount  of 
nt  least  $200,000.  The  conversion  of  Whisky  into  Alcohol  and 
Burning  Fluid  we  previonsly  considered. 


232  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XIV. 

The  Dry  Goods  Manufacture. 

The  trade  in  Dry  Goods,  considered  as  a  branch  of  commerce, 
is  the  most  important  of  any  now  existing  in  this  country.  It 
controls  a  greater  amount  of  capital,  employs  a  larger  number  of 
persons,  and  distributes  a  greater  value  of  commodities,  than  any 
other  branch  of  mercantile  pursuit.  The  list  of  Dry  Goods  mer- 
chants in  our  large  towns  is  far  longer  than  will  be  found  engaged 
in  the  sale  of  merchandise  under  any  other  heading ;  while 
throughout  the  interior  the  very  name  of  "  merchant"  is  asso- 
ciated with  one  who,  whatever  else  he  may  sell,  is  a  Dry  Goods 
dealer.  There  are  certainly  "  merchant  princes"  among  those 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits ;  but  in  capacity,  energy,  and 
aggregate  wealth,  the  dealers  in  Dry  Goods,  as  a  class,  are  em- 
phatically THE  MERCHANTS  of  our  day  and  country. 

The  variety  of  articles  embraced  in  the  term  Dry  Goods,  is 
seemingly  exhaustless  ;  but  the  materials  of  which  they  are  com- 
posed, are  principally  Cotton,  Wool,  Flax,  and  Silk.  All  of 
these,  with  the  exception  of  the  last,  are  natural,  or  at  least  lead- 
ing products  of  this  country  ;  all  of  them,  with  perhaps  the  same 
exception,  are  bulky  in  their  raw  and  unmanufactured  state.  Hence 
one  would  naturally  suppose,  that  the  mills  for  manufacturing 
them  would  be  situated  in  the  same  country  as  the  place  of  their 
production,  if  not  in  the  same  district.  No  one  would  certainly 
suppose,  even  hypothetically,  that  a  free,  civilized,  and  ingeni- 
ous people,  would  rely  upon  foreign  countries  for  the  supply  of 
their  necessities,  or  be  persistently  guilty  of  the  gigantic  folly  of 
going  four  thousand  miles  to  mill.  It  is  indeed  difficult  to  re- 
concile such  a  course  of  conduct  with  the  traditionary  notions  of 
American  independence  and  American  sagacity  ;  but  happily,  the 
day  is  gradually  passing  away  when  any  exposition  of  the  anomaly 
will  be  necessary. 

The  first  regular  Cotton  Factory  established  in  the  United 
States,  was  located  in  Beverly,  Mass.,  and  went  into  operation 
in  1787.  In  1789,  it  received  a  visit  from  President  Washington, 
then  on  a  tour  through  the  Eastern  States.  At  that  time  the 
British  government,  defeated  in  a  war  just  closed,  took  its  re- 


DRY    GOODS.  233 

renge  in  the  only  manner  possible,  viz.,  by  prohibiting,  with  se- 
vere penalties,  any  exportation  of  machinery,  or  even  drawings  of 
machinery,  from  that  country.  A  handsome  set  of  brass  models 
of  Arkwright's  machine  was  secretly  prepared  for  shipment,  but 
was  seized  at  the  Custom  House.  Mr.  Samuel  Slater,  who  had 
served  a  regular  apprenticeship  to  the  business  in  England,  came 
out  in  1789 ;  and  although  he  was  without  models  or  drawings 
of  the  machinery  needed,  he  succeeded  in  starting  at  Pawtucket. 
R.  I.,  three  cards  and  seventy-two  spindles,  on  the  20th  of  De- 
cember, 1790.  These  were  the  first  Arkwright  machines  oper- 
ated in  this  country.  The  first  Cotton  Factory  started  in  Massa- 
chusetts, with  the  improved  machinery,  was  located  near  Paw- 
tucket,  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  and  commenced  operations 
about  1795. 

The  first  Cotton  Mill  established,  as  we  are  informed,  in  the 
county,  now  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  was  situated  at  La  Grange 
Place,  near  Holmesburg.  The  machinery  was  supplied  by  Al- 
fred Jenks,  who  had  been  a  pupil  and  colaborer  for  many  years 
with  Samuel  Slater,  and  who  established  his  manufactory  of  cot- 
ton machinery  in  Holmesburg,  in  1810.  The  oldest  established 
Cotton  Mill,  now  in  operation,  is  the  Keating  Mill  in  Manayunk, 
owned  by  J.  C.  Kempton. 

The  first  Woolen  Mill  started  in  the  State  was  at  Consho- 
hocken,  by  Bethel  Moore,  a  name  that  continues  to  be  identified 
with  the  manufacture.  It  would  be  desirable  to  trace,  chronolog- 
ically, the  successive  steps  marking  the  progressive  develop- 
ment of  the  manufacture  of  textile  fabrics,  in  this  city ;  but,  un- 
fortunately, there  are  no  records  within  our  knowledge  containing 
sufficient  and  reliable  data  for  the  purpose.  In  1824,  we  find  a 
list  showing  there  were  thirty-three  Cotton  and  Woolen  factories 
in  the  city  and  vicinity,  worked  by  water  or  steam-power ;  and 
twenty  of  them  had  no  less  than  28,750  spindles  in  operation,  and 
the  number  increasing.  A  few  years  subsequently,  an  English 
writer  announced  that  Philadelphia  was  the  great  seat  of  hand- 
loom  manufacturing  and  weaving.  But  beyond  such  isolated 
statements  as  these,  the  growth  of  this  important  interest  seems 
t.o  have  attracted  but  little  historical  recognition  ;  and  we  can 
only  conjecture  that  it  was  overwhelmed  by  the  flourish  of  trum 


234  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

pets  which  attends  the  erection  of  a  factory  in  New  England, 
though  it  may  produce  less  in  a  month  than  the  hand-looms  of 
Philadelphia  produce  in  a  week. 

Looking  then  at  present  circumstances  only,  without  attempt- 
ing to  account  for  their  existence,  we  are  astonished  by  the 
undeniable  revelation,  that  Philadelphia  is  the  centre  of  a  greater 
number  of  factories  for  textile  fabrics  than  any  other  city 
in  the  world.  We  do  not  desire  to  be  understood  as  saying, 
greater  number  of  looms,  or  greater  value  of  production  ;  but 
simply  what  we  state,  a  greater  number  of  distinct,  separate  es- 
tablishments fairly  entitled  to  be  called  factories.  No  other  city 
in  the  world,  within  our  knowledge,  is  the  centre  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty  Cotton  and  Woolen  factories,  and  containing,  besides, 
hand-looms  in  force  and  production  equal  to  seventy  additional 
factories  of  average  size.  Moreover,  we  claim  that  Philadelphia 
is  the  centre  of  a  larger  production  of  indispensable  domestic 
goods,  than  any  other  city  or  place  in  the  United  States.  In 
making  this  claim,  we  do  not  desire  to  be  understood  as  saying 
all  descriptions  of  goods,  but  of  domestic  goods,  indispensable 
particularly  in  the  South  and  West.  If  this  be  true,  the  inference 
is  unavoidable,  that  Philadelphia  is  the  cheapest  market  in  which 
the  merchants  of  the  South  and  West  can  purchase  such  goods. 
These  statements  lead  us  to  the  consideration  of  two  poinls  ;  first, 
the  description  of  fabrics  made  here,  and  secondly,  the  extent  of 
the  production. 

The  textile  fabrics  made  in  Philadelphia  might  be  considered 
as  of  two  classes — one,  designated  "Philadelphia  goods,"  and  the 
other  "imported" — the  former  comprising  a  variety  of  heavy  ar- 
ticles essential  in  domestic  use,  and  the  other,  delicate,  ornamental 
fabrics,  sold  in  New  York,  and  frequently  in  this  city,  as  Parisian 
or  German  goods.  We  however  shall  adopt  for  convenience  the 
usual  subdivisions,  viz.  :  Cotton  goods,  woolen  and  mixed,  Ho- 
siery, Carpetings,  Silks,  &c. 

1.    COTTON    GOODS. 

The  application  of  the  wonderful  natural  product,  which  has 
been  called  by  some  vegetable  wool,  to  the  manufacture  of  arti- 
cles  of  utility  and  of  ornament,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 


DRY   GOODS.  235 

records  of  industrial  achievement.  In  Philadelphia,  this  appli- 
cation has  principally  been  directed  to  the  production  of  articles 
calculated  to  promote  the  comfort  of  the  masses — the  artisan,  the 
farmer,  and  the  mechanic — and  very  great  credit  is  due  to  the 
fiibricants  for  having  brought  many  unpretending  articles  of  this 
description  to  a  high  degree  of  perfection.  Tickings  are  made 
in  large  quantities,  and  of  a  far  better  quality  than  those  made 
in  New  England.  They  are  distinguished  for  having  more  stock, 
and  less  starch  in  them.  Mr.  Wallis,  one  of  the  English  Commis- 
sioners to  the  American  World's  Fair,  thus  spenks  of  certain  goods 
of  this  class  that  came  under  his  notice.  "  They  are  36  inches 
wide,  1100  reed,  No.  30  warp,  and  No.  35  filling  or  weft,  with 
140  picks  to  the  inch.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  conceive  a 
firmer  or  better  made  article ;  and  the  traditionary  notion  that 
really  good  Tickings  can  only  be  manufactured  from  flax  receives 
a  severe  shock,  when  such  Cotton  goods  as  these  are  presented 
for  examination."  The  varieties  of  Tickings  made  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  its  vicinity,  are  far  more  numerous  than  elsewhere ;  and 
the  prices  range  from  7  to  24  cents — those  at  the  latter  price 
being  a  most  superior  article. 

Of  Apron  and  Furniture  Checks,  Philadelphia  may  be  said 
to  have  the  monopoly  in  the  manufacture  ;  none  being  made  else- 
where, as  we  are  informed,  to  any  extent.  They  are  of  various 
grades,  ranging  in  price  from  7£  to  17  cents.  These  goods  are 
well-known,  and  it  is  therefore  needless  to  add  that  they  are  of 
the  first  class.  A  superior  Check  for  miners'  shirting  is  made, 
worth  from  12  to  20  cents. 

Oinyhams  are  made  of  all  qualities,  ranging  from  8^  to  16 
cents.  These  goods,  for  strength  and  durability  of  fabric  and  col- 
ors, and  neatness  and  beauty  of  styles,  are,  at  the  low  prices  at 
which  they  are  produced  and  sold,  the  cheapest  article,  probably, 
for  women's  and  children's  wear  in  the  whole  range  of  the  Dry 
Goods  manufacture.  They  are  much  preferable  to  the  Scotch  at 
the  same  prices,  and  are  free  from  the  dressing  which  adds  so  much 
to  the  apparent  weight  of  the  latter. 

Of  Cotton  goods  classed  as  Pantaloonery,  Cottonades,  <fec.  a  great 
variety  of  kinds,  qualities,  and  styles  are  made.  The  manufacture 
of  these  is  conducted  on  a  large  scale,  the  production  of  one  man- 


236  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

ufacturer  alone  having  reached  three  and  a  half  million  of  yards  in 
a  year.  They  are  now  made  almost  entirely  of  fast  colors,  as  the 
demand  for  the  very  low  priced  (of  fugitive  colors)  is  yearly  dimin- 
ishing. They  are  from  25  to  29  inches  wide,  and  range  in  price 
from  8^  to  25  cents.  Philadelphia  Cottonades  are  favorites  with 
Jobbers  and  Clothiers  throughout  the  country. 

Heavy  wide  Brown  Sheetings  are  made  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
city,  probably  heavier  than  any  other  in  this  country ;  some  two 
yards  wide,  made  of  yarn,  No.  14,  count  50  by  56,  has  been 
specially  recommended  as  adapted  for  the  purpose  for  which  they 
are  designed.  They  are  goods  which,  in  consequence  of  the 
cheapness  of  cotton,  can  be  produced  cheaper  in  this  country 
than  English  goods  of  the  same  quality.  Heavy  blue  Mariners' 
Shirtings,  formerly  designated  in  the  West  as  "  Hickory  Shirt- 
ings," are  made  largely;  the  prices  ranging  from  8  to  10^  cents. 
Denims  are  made  to  a  large  extent,  specially  adapted  for  planta- 
tion use,  being  heavier  than  any  made  elsewhere.  Other  goods, 
particularly  adapted  to  the  Southern  trade,  and  known  as  Negro 
Plaids,  Chambrays,  or  Crankies,  are  a  prominent  article  of  pro- 
duction with  many.  Nankeens,  28  inches  wide,  are  made  from  the 
Nankeen  cotton  grown  in  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  ;  price  about 
10  cents  for  plain,  and  13  for  heavy  twilled.  Several  mills  also  pro- 
duce Ducks,  Osnaburgs,  and  Bagging,  some  of  which  is  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  Prints  are  made  of  all  grades,  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest,  in  Madder  and  Steam  colors ;  and  some  descrip- 
tions, as  black  and  white,  and  half-mourning  prints,  are  made 
here  exclusively.  The  prices  range  from  4^  to  10  cents — those 
at  the  latter  price  bear  favorable  comparison  with  the  well-known 
Merrimacks.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  our  Calico  Printers 
are  unexcelled  by  any.  Printing  Cloths  are  made  at  two  or  three 
factories,  and  the  production,  although  limited,  is  quite  successful 
— it  is  believed  that  this  branch  of  manufacture  will  increase. 

Cotton  Hosiery  will  be  referred  to  subsequently  ;  and  of  the 
minor  narrow  textiles,  as  for  instance,  Stay  Binding  or  Twilled 
Tape — white,  black,  and  in  colors,  the  production  could  be  ex- 
pressed only  by  millions  of  yards. 

For  the  production  of  Cotton  Yarns  there  are  several  mills ; 
but  a  large  quantity  used  by  the  manufacturers  of  Cotton  goods 


DRY   GOODS.  237 

is  brought  from  Paterson,  N.  J.,  and  also  from  Augusta,  Georgia, 
and  from  other  parts  of  the  South.  The  production  of  this  ar- 
ticle, in  Philadelphia,  should  be  at  least  equal  to  the  wants  of  the 
manufacturers. 

2.  WOOLEN  AND  MIXED  GOODS. 

Wool  is  described  by  an  eminent  scientific  authority,  in  the 
following  lucid  manner.  It  is  a  peculiar  modification  of  hair, 
presenting,  when  viewed  under  the  microscope,  fine  transverse  or 
oblique  lines,  from  2,000  to  4,000  in  the  extent  of  an  inch,  indic- 
ative of  an  imbricated  or  scaly  surface,  on  which,  and  upon  its 
curved  or  twisted  form,  depends  its  remarkable  felting  quality  and 
its  consequent  value  in  manufactures.  The  Woolen  manufacture, 
in  its  narrow  or  restricted  meaning,  applies  only  to  Cloths  made  of 
short  wool,  and  such  as  possess  the  quality  of  felting  together, 
and  elasticity ;  the  other  branch  is  called  the  Worsted  manufac- 
ture, in  which  long  wool,  and  such  as  possess  no  particular  te- 
nacity of  fabric,  is  used.  The  former  term,  however,  is  rarely 
used  in  the  strict  sense  ;  and  in  considering  the  leading  manufac- 
tures of  Philadelphia  in  this  department,  we  shall  apply  it  ac- 
cording to  its  popular  signification. 

The  principal  varieties  of  Woolen  goods  made  in  Philadelphia, 
are  Cassimeres,  Satinets,  Kentucky  Jeans,  Shawls,  Flannels,  and 
Linseys,  or  Woolen  Plaids. 

Cassimeres  are  made  to  a  considerable  extent,  both  all  Wool  and 
Cotton  and  Wool,  of  various  grades.  The  finest,  in  imitation  of 
the  French,  are  nearly  equal  in  quality  of  wool  and  excellence  of 
finish  to  any  foreign  goods,  while  they  are  much  lower  in  price. 
The  Satinets  range  from  30  to  75  cents,  and  are  largely  produced. 
Kentucky  Jeans,  of  unsurpassed  quality,  and  of  great  variety  of 
colors,  are  a  leading  article  of  production.  They  are  27-inch 
goods,  of  various  grades,  from  13  to  40  cents.  The  better  qual- 
ities have  all  wool  filling.  Twills  and  Tweeds,  of  various  pat- 
terns and  colors,  and  having  a  diversity  of  names,  are  also  made 
in  large  quantities :  prices  from  20  to  33  cents.  .  Most  of  these 
have  all  wool  filling.  Philadelphia-made  Jeans,  Twills  and  Tweeds, 
are  staple  goods  ;  and  like  the  Checks,  Ginghams,  and  Cottonades, 
have  a  high  and  deserved  reputation,  especially  at  the  West,  where 
they  are  in  great  demand. 
19 


238  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Shawls,  chiefly  all  wool — both  long  and  square,  plain  and  fancy 
colors,  greatly  diversified  in  patterns,  are  made  to  considerable 
extent.  The  Medium-long  Shawls  bring  from  $2  up  to  $8  ; 
while  the  Square,  are  from  75  cents  to  $3^. 

Flannels,  of  various  colors  and  qualities,  both  all  wool  and 
domet,  are  also  largely  produced.  An  article,  all  wool,  termed 
Welsh  Flannel,  and  used  largely  by  miners,  glass-blowers,  and  foun- 
dry men,  for  shirts,  is  made  by  several,  and  highly  esteemed. 

Linseys,  or  Woolen  Plaids,  are  made  of  various  qualities ; 
some  one  half,  others  one  third  wool:  prices,  from  10  up  to  33 
cents.  Very  large  quantities  are  sold  in  the  West,  as  far  as  the 
new  Territories  and  the  Rocky  Mountains;  the  heaviest  being 
used  there  for  the  clothing  of  laborers  and  backwoodsmen.  They 
are  also  very  extensively  sold  in  the  South  for  clothing  for  do- 
mestics ;  while  some  are  used  for  linings.  The  higher  grades  are 
very  superior,  and  all  are  desirable  goods  and  in  constant  de- 
mand. Many  are  woven  in  hand-looms.  They  are  largely  shipped 
to  New  York,  Boston,  and  Baltimore.  A  superior  article  of 
6-4,  all  wool  plaids,  price  about  $1,  is  also  made. 

Of  Mixed  Goods  there  is  considerable  variety,  principally  how- 
ever the  product  of  hand-looms.  Coverlets  of  cotton  and  wool, 
red  and  white,  and  other  patterns,  belong  to  this  class,  and  are  a 
favorite  and  serviceable  article. 

Damask,  Birdseye,  and  Huckaback  Diapers,  from  5-4  to  11-4, 
both  brown  and  bleached,  are  largely  made.  They  are  heavy  and 
very  serviceable  goods:  prices  from  10^  to  26  cents.  Some  linen 
Table  Cloths  and  Toweling,  of  superior  quality,  are  made  on 
Jacquard  machines.  It  is  claimed  that  the  Damask  Table  Cloths 
are  equal  to  the  very  best  patterns  of  the  imported ;  while  they 
are  superior  in  durability.  One  firm  is  making  Marseilles  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  Bed  Spreads,  both  bleached  and  brown,  Stair 
Crash,  and  a  variety  of  similar  goods,  are  also  made  in  hand- 
looms. 

Union  Checks,  half  linen  and  half  cotton,  are  made  of  very  su- 
perior quality :  price  from  14  to  20  cents. 

Worsted  Braid,  or  "Ferreting,"  occupies  many  looms;  and 
Carpet  Bindings,  of  cotton  and  wool,  are  with  many  leading  arti 


CARPETINGS.  239 

cles  of  production.  Of  men's,  women's,  and  children's  mixed 
blue-and- white  Hose,  and  Half  Hose,  ten  thousands  of  dozens 
are  annually  made. 

3.     CARPETINGS. 

The  production  of  Ingrain  and  Venitian  Carpetings,  in  Phil- 
adelphia, is  so  important  a  branch  of  the  general  manufacture, 
that  it  deserves  at  our  hands  special  and  separate  notice.  It  is 
also  distinctive  in  its  characteristics,  both  as  respects  the  descrip- 
tion of  goods  made,  and  the  mode  of  manufacture.  The  manufac- 
turers of  Carpetings  in  Hartford  and  Lowell  confine  their  oper- 
ations, we  are  told,  to  all  wool  and  worsted  goods,  made  in 
super  and  extra-fines  ;  while  the  manufacturers  in  Philadelphia 
not  only  make  the  better  qualities,  but  go  down  to  goods  which 
are  all  cotton,  and  sell  for  about  20  cents  per  square  yard.  The 
fabrication  of  Cotton,  and  Cotton-and-Wool  Carpetings,  is  said 
to  be  exclusively  confined  to  Philadelphia. 

As  respects  the  mode  of  manufacture  the  business  is  distinctive, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  distributed  among  a  large  number  of  weavers; 
there  being  but  one  mill  that  employs  power-looms,  and  only  to  a 
very  limited  extent.  The  individual  manufacturers  number  about 
one  hundred,  who  furnish  employment  to  at  least  fifteen  hundred 
hand-looms,  the  largest  manufacturer  having  one  hundred  and 
fifty  looms  at  work  on  his  fabrics.  Each  loom  will  turn  out, 
monthly,  three  pieces  of  120  yards  each,  or  4,320  yards  Carpet- 
ings yearly;  consequently,  the  annual  production  for  1,500  looms 
would  be  6,480,000  yards.  The  prices  of  Ingrain  Carpetings 
range  from  20  to  85  cents — a  low  average  being  40  cents,  which 
would  give  an  annual  value  of  $2,592,000.*  The  persons  em- 
ployed are,  weavers  1,500  ;  and  all  others,  winders,  spoolers,  warp- 
ers, assistants  and  dyers,  say  1,000  more — in  all  2,500  persons. 
The  average  price  for  weaving  Carpets  is  9  cents ;  and  the 

*  An  excellent  article  of  supers,  worth  80  to  85,  and  extra-fines,  65  to  70 
cents  per  yard,  is  made  for  New  York,  and  for  Chestnut-street  dealers,  by 
J.  BROMLEY  &  SON,  who  are  celebrated  for  the  weight  and  excellence  of 
their  extra-fines.  They  also  make  Damask  Venitians,  from  $1.05  to  $1.15, 
which  are  fully  equal  to  the  imported,  and  unequaled  in  this  country. 
Other  makers  will  be  subsequently  mentioned. 


240  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

average  earnings  of  weavers  $6  a  week,  or  $300  a  year.  The 
whole  amount  paid  to  weavers  and  others,  for  labor,  will  read 
$695,000  per  annum. 

The  "  Glen-Echo"  Mills,  at  Germantown,  A.  McCallum  &  Co. 
proprietors,  have  one  hundred  looms  in  operation,  a  few  being 
power-looms,  employ  two  hundred  hands,  and  produce  an  average 
annual  product  of  over  $200,000.  This  firm,  and  James  Lord, 
spin  and  dye  their  own  yarns,  and  are  thus  exceptional  in  con- 
ducting all  the  processes  of  manufacture  from  the  raw  material. 

Rag  and  List  Carpets  are  also  produced  to  the  extent  of 
1,680,000  yards  annually,  yielding,  at  30  cents  per  yard,  $504,000. 
The  weavers  employed  in  this  branch  have  frequently  but  one 
loom  each,  and  rarely  over  eight.  The  principal  manufacturer 
has  only  about  twenty  looms.  Weavers,  when  they  supply  the 
chain,  receive  about  20  cents  a  yard  ;  or  for  weaving  alone,  from 
6  to  10  cents,  according  to  quality.  The  cotton  chain  for  the 
better  qualities  is  obtained  of  yarn  dealers,  costing  about  20  cents 
per  lb.,  dyed.  Carpet  balls,  for  filling,  cost  from  6  to  T  cents 
per  lb.  This  description  of  Carpet  sells  from  25  to  50  cents  per 
yard. 

The  entire  production  of  Carpetings,  in  Philadelphia,  we  state 
as  follows : — 

No.  of  Earnings  of  Production. 

Looms.  Weavers,  &c.  Tarda.  Value. 

Ingrain,  1,500  $695,000  6,480,000  $2,592,000 

Rag,  560  126,000  1,680,000  504,000 


Total,  2060  $821,000  8,160,000  $3,096,000 

The  persons  employed  in  the  Carpet  manufacture  are  English, 
Irish,  Scotch,  and  German  ;  but  very  few  Americans,  as  we  are  in- 
formed, are  known  to  be  engaged  either  in  weaving  or  spinning. 
The  economy  in  manufacturing  would  be  greatly  promoted,  it  is 
supposed,  if  there  were  larger  mills  in  the  city  for  spinning  and 
dyeing  yarns. 

4.    WOOLEN    HOSIERY— FANCY    KNIT    WORK. 

The  importance  of  this  branch  of  industry,  and  the  success  of 
the  Philadelphia  manufacturers,  entitle  it  to  separate  notice 


HOSIERY.  241 

For  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  Nottingham  and  Lei- 
cester were  the  chief  seats  of  the  Hosiery  manufacture  in  Eu- 
rope and  America.  The  Knitting  trade  had  its  origin  in  Not- 
tingham, through  the  invention  of  the  Stocking-frame,  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Lee  of  that  place,  in  1589.  At  the  present  time,  it  is 
estimated  that  there  are  at  least  50,000  Stocking-frames  in  oper- 
ation in  Great  Britain,  employing  100,000  persons,  and  producing 
an  annual  value  of  $18,000,000.  So  diversified  are  the  articles 
produced  in  color,  shape,  and  adaptation  to  markets,  that  one 
Leicester  manufacturer  thought  he  could  not  fairly  represent  his 
production  at  the  Great  Exhibition,  in  1851,  except  by  sending 
12,500  specimens  and  prices.  Until  within  the  last  fifteen  or 
twenty  years,  America  looked  exclusively  to  foreign  sources  for 
her  supply  of  the  various  articles  designated  as  Fancy  Woolen 
goods  or  Woolen  Knitwork.  Within  that  period,  however,  the 
manufacture  has  taken  such  deep  root  in  Philadelphia — particu- 
larly in  Germantown  and  Kensington — that  the  Nottingham  arti- 
cles no  longer  find  any  considerable  sale  in  the'Americau  markets, 
or  even  in  the  Canadas.  The  term  "  Germantown  Woolen 
Goods,"  is  now  as  familiar  to  most  dealers  as  Nottingham  Hosiery ; 
while  the  quality  of  the  American  product  is  really  far  superior 
to  that  of  the  foreign.  The  Philadelphia  manufacturers  have  such 
special  and  important  advantages  over  the  English  in  the  price  of 
wool — being  able,  therefore,  to  use  much  finer  grades  in  the  pro- 
duction of  articles  costing  the  same  price — that  they  may  reason- 
ably anticipate  a  period  not  remote  when  their  goods  of  this  class 
will  find  a  sale,  as  they  certainly  will  receive  a  preference,  in  the 
English  market.  A  few  large  establishments,  well  managed,  and 
combining  all  economies,  it  is  the  opinion  of  competent  judges, 
could  even  now  export  these  commodities  to  England  with  profit. 
The  manufacture,  as  at  present  conducted,  is  essentially  a  do- 
mestic one.  In  Germantown,  in  which  the  production  is  so  large 
as  to  give  its  name  to  the  goods  produced,  there  are  a  few  exten- 
sive mills  employing  steam-power  ;  but  the  distinctive  feature  of 
the  business  is  its  hand-looms  and  domesticity.  Fully  one  half  of 
the  persons  engaged  in  the  production  have  no  practical  concern 
with  the  ten-hour  system,  or  the  factory  system,  or  even  the  solar 
system.  They  work  at  such  hours  as  they  choose  in  their  own 
19* 


242  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

homes,  and  their  industry  is  mainly  regulated  by  the  state  of  th« 
larder.  But  the  inherent,  natural  industry  of  this  class  of  oper- 
atives, who  are  largely  Leicester  and  Nottingham  men,  will  be 
inferred  from  a  visit  to  Germantown,  and  practical  observation 
of  the  neatness  of  the  dwellings,  and  the  air  of  comfort  that  per- 
vades all  its  street  and  avenues. 

In  the  city  proper,  there  is  one  large  factory  engaged  in  pro- 
ducing Hosiery,  Opera-hoods,  Comforters,  Scarfs,  &c.,  employing 
five  hundred  hands,  and  consuming  annually  upward  of  250,000 
Ibs.  of  American  wool.*  The  hand-frames  and  machines  it  is 

*  The  factory  alluded  to  is  that  of  MARTIN  LANDENBERGER,  and  we  ex- 
tract from  the  "Ledger"  the  following  description: — 

"  The  factory  has  a  fine  front  of  thirty-eight  feet,  is  over  two  hundred 
feet  deep,  and  with  the  basement  is  five  stories  high.  It  is  an  attractive 
brick  structure,  its  external  neatness  vieing  with  its  internal  arrangements 
in  every  respect. 

"  In  the  basement  we  find  woolsacks  upon  which  the  Lord  Chancellor  of 
England  never  took  his  seat ;  for  they  contain  American  wool,  woolen  yarn 
of  every  describable  shade  and  color,  and  goods  generally,  which  are 
packed  and  ready  for  dispatch.  Here  is  also  a  steam-engine  of  fifteen 
horse  power.  Near  the  engine  is  a  large  Wool-Scouring  Machine.  The 
wool  is  then  passed  into  a  drying-room,  heated  by  steam ;  after  drying, 
it  is  submitted  to  the  services  of  the  (devil)  picker ;  it  then  passes  through 
two  sets  of  cards,  which  may  be  termed  breakers  and  finishers.  This  pro- 
cess of  carding  prepares  the  collected  and  straightened  fibres  for  twisting. 
In  the  twisting  department  there  are  ten  machines  constantly  at  work,  con- 
sisting of  four  hundred  spindles.  In  the  spinning  department  eight  sets 
of  mules  are  engaged,  consisting  of  twenty-five  hundred  and  sixty  spindles. 
The  yarn  is  then  warped  and  reeled ;  subsequently  it  is  bleached,  dyed,  and 
printed  according  to  certain  designs.  From  the  warps  the  yarn  is  then  ar- 
ranged upon  beams  for  the  loom,  and  from  the  reeled  yarn  large  spools  are 
filled  by  a  hand-winding  process  performed  by  small  boys.  The  yarn  is 
then  ready  for  weaving,  in  which  process  upward  of  fifteen  different  kinds 
of  looms  are  at  work.  We  noticed  particularly  a  new  loom,  the  invention 
of  the  proprietor,  for  weaving  neck-comforts.  This  loom,  after  much  labor 
and  thought  expended  in  its  construction,  was  started  some  months  ago 
This  loom  weaves  four  neck-comforts  of  a  double  fabric,  and  each  of  a  dif- 
ferent pattern.  The  Jacquard  principle  is  about  to  be  applied  to  this  loom, 
BO  that  by  control  of  the  Jacquard  index,  almost  any  design  will  be  pro- 
duced by  it.  There  is  another  loom  of  a  different  construction  now  in  prep- 
aration, and  will  soon  be  put  to  work.  The  other  looms  used  are  of  vari> 


HOSIERY.  243 

almost  impossible  to  ascertain  with  accuracy ;  but  they  exceed 
seven  hundred,  of  which  about  five  hundred  are  employed  on 
Woolen  Hosiery.  The  average  product  for  each  frame  exceeds 
$1,650  annually  ;  and  the  whole  Hosiery  and  fancy  Woolen  goods 
production  in  Philadelphia,  in  1857,  was  about  as  follows : — 

500  Knitting  Frames,  averaging  $1,657.50  each,         -        -         $828,750 
7  Factories  in  Germantown  and  Kensington,          -        -  800,000 

»  Total  value  of  Woolen  Hosiery,  ...     $1,628,750 

200  Knitting  Frames  on  Cotton  Hosiery,  $897  each,  -  179,400 

Total, $1,808,150 

The  foundations  of  the  American  Woolen  Hosiery  and  Fancy 

ous  kinds  and  calibre.  All  the  new  machinery  used  in  the  establishment  is 
made  on  the  premises,  upon  such  a  principle  that  it  is  impossible  for  out- 
siders to  copy  the  construction  or  mode  of  operation.  Every  new  style  de- 
mands some  action  upon  the  machinery,  which  calls  out  some  new  demon- 
stration of  inventive  genius  on  the  part  of  the  proprietor.  Here  are  man- 
ufactured hoods,  talmas,  opera-cloaks,  neck-comforts,  scarfs,  and  hosiery 
of  every  conceivable  description  and  variety.  Every  room  is  set  apart  for 
some  particular  branch  in  the  process  of  manufacture,  and  the  regulations 
prevent  any  laxity  of  morals  on  the  part  of  the  employees;  the  males  and 
females  are  not  brought  in  contact  with  each  other  at  all.  Gladness  and 
health  seemed  to  beam  from  every  countenance  upon  the  occasion  of  our 
visit.  The  stairs  and  floors  are  kept  thoroughly  clean.  In  the  winter  sea- 
son the  entire  factory  is  heated  by  steam  to  a  comfortable  degree.  This 
tends  to  promote  the  comfort  of  the  workers,  whilst  it  serves  a  good  mission 
to  the  machinery. 

"  Fifteen  years  ago  Mr.  Landenberger  commenced  operations  with  about 
twelve  hands,  and  had  then  to  compete  with  the  foreign  manufacturers,  so 
that  he  had  to  work  to  get  along ;  but  being  determined  to  overcome  the 
importation  of  woolen  hosiery,  he  laid  himself  out  for  the  task,  and  has 
succeeded  admirably."  He  gives  employment  to  nearly  five  hundred  hands, 
and  manufactures  every  year  upward  of  2f>0,000  Ibs.  of  American  wool 
which,  through  his  agent,  Mr.  L.  purchases  from  the  grower.  He  consumes 
about  2,500  gallons  of  lard  oil,  being  one  gallon  to  every  hundred  pounds  of 
wool.  He  manufactures  eight  hundred  different  styles  of  goods,  of  all  sizes, 
every  season.  The  value  of  the  business  done  is  about  $800.000  annually. 

"The  majority  of  the  men  employed  in  the  establishment  are  from  Leices- 
ter, the  principal  seat  of  the  hosiery  manufacture  in  England.  A  consider- 
able number  of  Germans  are  also  employed.  For  cleanliness  and  good  ar- 
rangement, Mr.  Landenberger's  Kensington  Woolen  Hosiery  manufactory 
cannot  be  exceeded,  and  a  visit  to  it  is  a  bona  fide  entertainment." 


244  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Goods  manufacture,  it  is  quite  evident,  are  laid  in  Philadelphia 
Within  ten  years,  by  persevering  and  well-directed  industry, 
Philadelphia  manufacturers  have  succeeded  in  almost  excluding 
the  foreign  articles  from  the  American  market;  and  they  certainly 
have  succeeded  in  enabling  merchants,  from  all  parts  of  the 
country,  to  obtain  in  Philadelphia  superior  goods  at  less  than 
Nottingham  or  Leicester  prices. 

5.     NARROW    TEXTILE    FAB  RI  C  S  — S  I  L  K  S,    ETC. 

In  England,  the  various  manufactures  included  in  the  term 
Narrow  Textile  Fabrics,  are  known  by  the  name  of  Small  Wares ; 
and  on  the  continent  of  Europe  the  manufacturers  of  them  are 
designated  Passamenteurs.  In  this  country  the  term  usually 
employed  is  Trimmings,  which  represents  ladies'  dress  trimmings, 
carriage  laces,  curtain  trimmings,  cords,  tassels,  braids,  fringes, 
ribbons,  military  trimmings,  and  numerous  other  manufactures 
assimilating  in  character.  In  England,  France,  Germany,  Switz- 
erland, the  chief  seats  of  these  manufactures,  the  establishments 
confine  themselves  each  to  a  single  class  of  goods — one  making 
fringes,  another  ribbons,  and  so  on  ;  but  here,  two  or  more  branches 
are  often  carried  on  by  the  same  parties ;  and  in  the  case  of  one 
firm  in  this  city,  all  the  above  branches  are  united  in  one  estab- 
ment — the  largest  of  its  kind,  beyond  all  doubt,  in  the  world. 

Philadelphia  has  long  been  known  as  the  principal  seat  of  the 
manufacture  of  Military  Goods  and  Carriage  Laces  ;  and  now, 
probably,  one  half  of  the  whole  production  of  the  United  States 
originates  here.  The  branch  known  as  "  Ladies  Dress  Trim- 
mings," is  comparatively  of  modern  date  in  this  country.  Up  to 
1838,  very  little  was  made,  being  principally  plain  fringes,  a  few 
bindings,  buttons,  cords  and  tassels.  The  business,  however,  has 
become  a  very  important  item  of  our  domestic  manufactures  ;  and 
since  the  reduction  of  duties  on  raw  silk,  is  rapidly  expanding. 
Patterns  the  most  complicated  are  executed  with  facility,  from  de- 
signs that  are  original  with  the  manufacturers.  The  fabrics  pro- 
duced here  are  acknowledged  to  be  generally  of  better  quality 
than  the  English  and  German  ;  and  for  several  years  have  com- 
peted successfully  with  nearly  all  articles  of  French  manufacture. 


f=i 

OJ 

£ 


TRIMMINGS.  245 

Philadelphia  is  now  the  chief  seat  of  the  general  manufacture 
of  Trimmings  in  the  United  States.  There  are  now  about  thirty 
establishments  in  this  city  engaged  in  the  various  branches,  in- 
cluding Carriage  Laces,  Regalia,  and  Upholstery.  We  shall  here 
only  allude  to  the  most  complete  concern  of  the  kind  in  the  Union, 
and  to  one  other  house  as  a  representative  of  the  general  trade. 

The  establishment  of  WILLIAM  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS  is  the 
one  alluded  to,  as  undoubtedly  the  most  extensive  of  its  class  iu 
the  world.  The  business  was  established  by  Win.  H.  Horstmann, 
the  father  of  the  present  proprietors,  in  1815,  and  is  consequently 
the  oldest  established  of  the  kind  in  the  city,  if  not  in  this  country. 
In  the  infancy  of  its  career,  the  manufacture  was  limited  to  a 
few  patterns  of  coach  laces  and  fringes ;  at  the  present  time,  it 
embraces  a  wide  circle  of  fabrics  of  silk,  silk  and  worsted,  mohair, 
cotton,  gold  and  silver  thread,  and  includes  some  not  made  else- 
where in  this  country,  besides  every  variety  of  Military  Trim- 
mings, including  swords,  drums,  and  metal  ornaments. 

In  1 852,  this  firm  exhibited  a  case  of  Silk  Ribbons  at  the  Ex- 
hibition of  the  Franklin  Institute.  We  make  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  report  of  the  Judges  on  Silk  Goods. 

"  By  unanimous  consent,  the  highest  praise  of  the  Committee  is 
awarded  to  Wm.  H.  Horstmann  &  Sons,  of  this  city,  for  their  manufac- 
ture of  Fancy  Taffeta  Bonnet  Ribbons,  case  1556.  Indeed,  your  Com- 
mittee must  confess  to  having  been  entirely  taken  by  surprise,  on  wit- 
nessing these  productions  of  American  looms,  and  it  required  convinc- 
ing proof  to  satisfy  the  Committee  that  they  were  not  examining  the 
fabrics  of  Lyons  or  St.  Etienne.  Not  only  in  brilliancy  of  coloring 
and  weight  of  material,  but  in  evenness  of  manufacture,  they  in  all 
respects  are  equal  to  those  which  we  have  been  so  long  accustomed  to 
receive  from  France  and  Switzerland."  *  *  *  *  "  The  merit  of  in- 
troducing and  carrying  forward  to  such  a  degree  of  perfection  this  new 
branch  of  manufacture,  is  due  to  the  Messrs.  Horstmann.  The  Com- 
mittee may  be  deemed  partial  in  their  feelings  from  the  fact  that  all 
its  members  have  for  a  long  time  been  engaged  in  the  importation  and 
sale  of  Silk  Goods ;  but  this  very  fact  gives  them  additional  oppor- 
tunity of  forming  a  correct  judgment.  They  are  unanimous  in  con- 
sidering the  production  of  the  Messrs.  Horstmann  as  one  of  the  great- 
est novelty,  as  well  as  importance,  in  American  manufacture,  and  are 
pleased  to  add,  iu  corroboration  of  their  views,  that  these  goods  have 


246  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

been  sold  iu  a  neighboring  city,  through  an  importing  house,  indis- 
criminately with  their  foreign  importations.  Your  Committee,  under- 
standing that  you  have  a  reward  still  higher  than  the  usual  premiums, 
to  be  bestowed  in  cases  of  extraordinary  merit,  are  unanimous  iu  the 
recommendation  of  its  bestowal  upon  the  Messrs.  Horstmann. 

"The  Committee  on  Exhibition,  in  accordance  with  the  above  re- 
port, unanimously  resolved  to  recommend  to  the  Institute  to  award 
Wm.  H.  Horstmann  &  Sons  a  gold  medal." 

The  manufactory  of  the  Messrs.  Horstraann  is  situated  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets,  formerly  the  burying 
ground  of  the  German  Lutherans,  and  bought  of  the  congrega- 
tion owning  the  old  church,  (built  1743),  on  the  opposite  side  of 
Cherry  street.  The  building  forms  an  [_  having  a  front  of  140 
feet  on  Fifth  street,  100  feet  on  Cherry  street,  and  50  feet  wide, 
containing  six  floors.  The  engine-house  and  machine-shops  are 
in  a  detached  building  in  the  yard.  The  machinery  in  operation 
in  the  factory  is  new,  much  of  it  original,  and  includes 

130  Coach  Lace  Power  Looms, 
60  Power  Looms,  making  650  stripes,  or  rows  of  goods, 

336  Silk  Spindles  and  other  complete  silk  machinery, 

100  Plaiting  or  Braiding  machines, 
50  Hand  Looms, 

using  over  150  Jacquard  machines,  ranging  from  40  to  800 
needles ;  besides  all  the  auxiliary  machinery  necessary  in  the 
business. 

Adjoining  the  manufactory  on  Cherry  street,  the  firm  own  an 
additional  lot,  bought  of  the  Friends,  containing  75  feet  on  the 
street.  The  engraving  on  the  opposite  page  exhibits  the  Fac- 
tory, the  Old  Meeting  House,  and  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 
The  meeting-house  has  been  converted  into  a  spacious  sales-room. 

Many  of  the  most  important  machines,  and  applications  of  ma- 
chinery that  are  now  in  use  in  the  manufacture,  are  indebted  to 
the  enterprise  of  this  firm  for  introduction  into  this  country,  or  to 
their  genius  for  their  invention.  The  Plaiting  or  Braiding  ma- 
chines were  first  introduced  into  the  United  States  from  Germany, 
by  Mr.  W.  H.  Horstmann,  in  1824.  In  the  year  1825,  the  same 
gentleman  introduced  the  Jacquard  machines.  Gold  Laces  were 
made  by  power  in  this  city  several  years  before  attempting  it  in 


TRIMMINGS — SEWING   SILKS.  247 

the  old  world  ;  and  the  use  of  power  for  making  Fringes  may  be 
said  to  have  been  first  generally  adopted  here.  In  fact,  it  may 
be  said  that  this  firm  was  the  first  in  any  country  to  apply  power 
to  the  general  manufacture.  From  the  report  of  the  English 
Commissioners  upon  the  industry  of  the  United  States  we  extract 
the  following  paragraph,  in  which,  after  stating  that  Messrs.  Horst- 
mann  have  recently  erected  a  very  large  and  well-arranged  fac- 
tory within  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  it  is  remarked  : 

"  The  whole  establishment  presents  an  example  of  system  and  neat- 
ness rarely  to  be  found  in  manufactories  in  which  handicrafts  so  varied 
are  carried  on.  Female  labor  is,  of  course,  largely  employed  in  the 
weaving  and  making-up  departments,  and  formerly  in  the  cutting  of 
fringes.  This,  however,  is  now  performed  by  a  machine  with  a  circular 
knife,  so  arranged  as  to  cut  the  thread  on  the  diagonal.  The  double 
fringe,  as  it  leaves  the  loom,  being  either  run  off  the  beam  or  placed 
upon  a  roller  for  that  purpose,  is  divided  much  more  exactly  than  it 
could  be  by  hand,  and  at  so  rapid  a  speed  as  scarcely  to  admit  of  a  com- 
parison with  hand  labor.  Any  width  of  fringe  can  be  thus  cut,  the  ma- 
chine being  so  constructed  as  to  be  easily  adapted  thereto." 

In  another  part  of  their  report  these  Commissioners  allude  to 
the  Clinton  Company,  located  at  Clinton,  Massachusetts,  long 
known  as  the  largest  manufacturers  of  Coach  Lace  in  America. 
The  looms  are  of  the  same  construction  as  the  Brussels  Carpet 
Power  Looms.  During  the  last  year  (1857)  the  entire  stock  of 
goods,  materials,  looms,  and  patent  rights  of  this  Company  were 
purchased  by  the  Messrs.  Horstmann,  and  thus  another  important 
link  was  added  to  the  chain,  securing  pre-eminence  to  Philadel- 
phia as  the  greatest  manufacturing  city  in  the  Union. 

The  Messrs.  Horstmann  employ  400  hands,  who  receive  $100,000 
annually  in  wages  ;  have  a  capital  of  $400,000  invested  in  the  busi- 
ness ;  and  produce  an  average  annual  product  of  $600,000. 

The  establishment  that  we  would  select  as  a  fair  and  excellent 
representative  of  numerous  other  manufactories  of  Ladies  Dress 
Trimmings  in  Philadelphia,  is  that  of  HENRY  W.  HENSEL.  It 
employs  about  one  hundred  persons — say  thirty  men  and  boys, 
whose  average  wages  is  $7  per  week ;  and  seventy  females,  re- 
ceiving $2.75  per  week;  or  in  other  words,  $20,000  are  paid  an- 


248  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

nually  in  wages.  The  looms  in  operation  comprise  twenty  Jac- 
quard  looms,  and  twelve  other  looms,  being  thirty-two  in  all,  and 
eousuming  annually  5,000  Ibs.  of  silk ;  worsted  yarn,  500  Ibs, ; 
linen  do.,  200  Ibs. ;  cotton  do.,  3,000  Ibs. ;  fine  wire,  200  Ibs. ; 
and  the  total  amount  of  sales,  of  goods  manufactured,  is  about 
$100,000.  The  proprietor  has  been  very  diligent  and  successful 
»n  originating  saleable  patterns,  and  has  thus  contributed  mate- 
rially to  elevate  this  class  of  American  Textile  Fabrics  in  the 
scale  of  popularity.  It  is  his  purpose  shortly  to  visit  Lyons,  and 
other  manufacturing  districts  of  Europe,  to  examine  and  intro- 
duce such  improved  machinery  as  may  be  adapted  to  facilitate 
his  general  manufactures,  which  embrace  all  the  usual  varieties  of 
Ladies'  and  Gentlemen's  Silk  Fringes,  Bindings,  Braids,  Galloons, 
Cords,  Tassels,  &c.  His  general  sales  are  limited,  as  we  are 
informed,  exclusively  to  jobbers. 

Fly  Nets  are  extensively  made  in  Philadelphia;  and  Regalias, 
&c.,  form  nearly  the  exclusive  business  of  one  or  two  manufac- 
turers. 

The  manufacture  of  Sewing  Silks  is  carried  on  by  five  estab- 
lishments in  Philadelphia,  but»not  as  an  exclusive  business.  It 
is  usually  conjoined  with  the  production  of  what  is  known  in 
commerce  by  the  terms  Singles,  Tram,  and  Organzine.*  A  large 
proportion  of  the  raw  silk  imported  into  the  United  States  comes 
from  China — the  Chinese  silk  being  preferred  for  the  pure  white- 
ness of  its  color,  and  the  strength  and  glossiness  of  its  fibre.  Its 
successful  conversion  into  the  various  articles  named  depends 
largely  upon  the  excellence  of  the  machinery  employed.  In  the 
production  of  Sewing  Silks,  our  home  manufacturers  have  been 
so  successful,  that  it  is  supposed  that  the  quantity  now  imported 
does  not  amount  to  five  per  cent,  of  the  home  production. 

•  Singles  is  formed  of  one  of  the  reeled  threads  slightly  twisted  in  order 
to  give  it  strength  and  firmness. 

Tram  consists  of  two  or  more  threads  thrown  just  sufficiently  together  to 
hold,  by  a  twist  of  from  one  to  one  and  a  half  turns  to  the  inch. 

Orffanzine,  or  thrown  silk,  is  formed  of  two  or  more  singles,  according 
to  the  thickness  required,  twisted  together  in  a  contrary  direction  to  that 
of  the  Singles  of  which  it  is  composed. 


PRINTING,    DYEING,    ETC.  249 

All  varieties  of  Sewing  Silk  are  made,  spool  silk,  embroidery  silk, 
saddlers'  or  three-corded  silks ;  and  pat  up  in  quarter  and  half  pound 
packages,  or  in  hundred  skeins,  of  different  colors.  Hundred-skein 
silk  is  so  termed,  because  it  is  made  up  of  from  one  to  one  and  a 
half  ounces  of  silk  to  the  hundred,  measuring  about  ten  yards  in 
length  to  the  skein.  This  article  is  generally  sold  to  peddlers  and 
jobbers.  There  is  another  description  of  skein  made  up  for  re- 
tailers, which  measures  from  twelve  to  twenty  yards  in  length. 
ft  is  principally  used  by  clothing  houses,  who  find  it  economical 
to  employ  the  larger  skeins.  The  capital  employed  in  the  pro- 
duction of  Sewing  and  other  Silks,  in  Philadelphia,  is  stated 
at  $300,000,  and  the  annual  production  at  $312,000.  The  machi- 
nery employed  for  Spinning  and  Twisting  Silk  is  equal  to  any  in 
the  world. 

The  oldest  established  and  leading  concern  in  this  business, 
in  Philadelphia,  is  that  of  B.  HOOLEY  &  SON.  The  house  was  estab- 
lished nearly  20  years  ago  by  Messrs.  B.  &  A.  Hooley  of  Maccles- 
field.  The  present  perfection  attained  in  the  manufacture  of  Sew- 
ing and  Fringe  Silks,  in  this  city,  is  largely  due  to  the  enterprise 
of  this  firm.  They  are  now  making  extensive  improvements  in, 
and  enlarging  their  mills,  with  the  view  of  improving  the  quality 
of  their  Silk  and  increasing  their  business  ;  and  as  their  standing 
stock  of  goods  of  every  color  is  always  large,  they  are  enabled 
by  their  facilities,  the  result  of  experience  and  a  large  cash  capital, 
to  furnish  a  superior  article  at  the  lowest  market  rates. 

6.     PRINTING,    DYEING,     EMBOSSING,    FINISHING,     Ac. 

In  the  operation  of  Printing  and  Dyeing  Textile  Fabrics,  the  ma- 
nufacturers of  the  United  States  have,  without  doubt,  been  greatly 
aided  by  the  emigration  of  artisans  from  Europe.  The  attractions 
of  Philadelphia,  as  a  place  of  residence,  have  drawn  hither  the 
most  skillful  of  these  artisans — many  of  whom  bring  with  them 
experience  gained  by  almost  unremitting  attention  to  these  de- 
partments of  industry  during  the  past  half  century,  in  England, 
France,  and  Germany.  Moreover,  the  water  and  climate  of  Phil- 
adelphia are  peculiarly  favorable  for  success  in  dyeing.  The 
influence  of  these  natural  agents  has  already  been  remarked  upon ; 
but  we  may  refer  to  the  fact  mentioned  by  the  English  Comtnis- 
20 


250  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

sioners,  that  in  Lowell  it  is  well-known  the  water  of  the  Merrimack 
River,  though  reasonably  well  adapted  for  dyeing  cottons,  is  not 
at  all  suited  for  woolens.  They  state,  "this  question  of  the  selec- 
tion of  a  water  site  for  Dyeing  and  Printing,  is  a  most  important 
one  in  the  United  States,  since  it  is  quite  certain  that  in  no  coun- 
try is  there  so  great  a  variation  in  this  respect." 

The  principal  Dye  Works  for  Cotton  and  Woolen  goods,  in 
Philadelphia,  are  located  at  Frankford.  The  water  in  that  lo- 
cality is  excellent  for  the  purpose,  and  equally  as  well  adapted  for 
woolens  as  for  cottons.  The  Messrs.  Horrocks  have  the  most 
extensive  Dyeing  Works,  it  is  supposed,  south  of  Providence,  R.  I. 

In  the  city  proper  there  are  many  Silk  Dyers  and  Refinishers, 
who  have  been  very  successful,  and  are  deservedly  celebrated.  In 
the  introductory  we  alluded  to  one  of  these — a  celebrated  French 
dyer,  who  had  experimented  in  various  places,  and  found  none  so 
well  adapted  for  producing  desirable  and  brilliant  results  in  dyeing 
as  Philadelphia.  De  Laines,  Merinos,  and  other  French  goods, 
are  consequently  now  largely  imported  in  an  unfinished  state,  and 
we  believe  at  a  less  rate  of  duty,  and  dyed  in  this  city  in  fast  and 
exquisite  colors. 

The  refinishing  of  Silks  is  made  an  almost  exclusive  business 
by  a  few,  and  so  successfully  performed,  that  old  goods  are  made 
to  wear  the  appearance  of  new. 

FACTORIES     AND     HAND-LOOMS. 

The  factory  system  of  Philadelphia,  as  will  probably  be  in- 
ferred from  what  has  been  already  stated,  is  the  result  and  off- 
spring mainly  of  individual,  unaided  efforts.  It  owes  but  little, 
if  any  thing,  to  the  advantages  'of  associated  capital  ;  and  has 
grown  to  a  vigorous  maturity  in  spite  of  foreign  competition  and 
unfriendly  home  legislation.  The  manufacturers  having,  from  the 
beginning,  directed  their  energies  mainly  to  the  production  of  useful 
fabrics,  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  masses,  have  steadily 
worked  on,  aiming  at  substantial  excellence  in  an  unpretending 
sphere  without  attempting,  until  recently,  to  compete  with  others 
-in  the  finer  or  more  ornamental  fabrics,  or  invoking  the  attention 
of  the  world  by  the  erection  of  mammoth  establishments.  In 
the  location  of  their  factories,  they  have  not  generally  been  gov- 


FACTORIES.  251 

erned  by  any  other  than  reasons  of  convenience  and  economy, 
peculiar  to  each  proprietor ;  hence  the  factories  are  scattered 
throughout  the  city  and  its  vicinity,  the  operatives  forming  no 
distinct  class,  the  buildings  attracting  but  little  notice.  In  Frank- 
ford,  and  particularly  in  Manayunk,  some  show  of  aggregation  is 
manifest ;  but  in  the  latter  place  the  exhibition  is  so  unfavorable 
for  a  correct  observation  of  the  beauties  of  the  system,  that  dis- 
persion would  be  preferable. 

The  mills,  though  generally  small,  compare  very  favorably  in 
machinery  and  amount  of  product  with  the  medium  establish- 
ments in  New  England.  In  Philadelphia,  as  in  Lowell,  several 
mills  are  often  the  property  of  one  proprietor ;  and  if  we  were 
permitted  to  publish  statistics  of  individual  establishments,  we 
could  enumerate  one  having  900  looms,  27,000  spindles,  850  op- 
eratives, and  producing  an  annual  product  of  3,500,000  yards, 
worth  $600,000  ;  another  having  432  looms,  9,774  spindles,  38 
cards,  513  operatives,  and  producing  annually  $430,000  ;  another, 
having  216  looms,  8,000  spindles,  50  cards,  320  operatives,  produc- 
ing last  year  3,27  2,510  yards  duck,  Osnaburgs,  &c.,  worth  $362,162  : 
another,  having  240  looms,  300  operatives,  producing  yearly 
2,100,000  yards  ginghams,  pantaloonery,  &c.,  worth  $250,000; 
another,  having  10,716  spindles,  employing  200  operatives,  and 
producing  750,000  Ibs.  cotton  yarn.  The  Washington  Manufac- 
turing Company's  Mills,  at  Gloucester,  N.  J.,  nearly  opposite  our 
city,  and  of  which  our  esteemed  townsman,  DAVID  S.  BROWN,  is 
President,  contain  36,000  spindles  and  800  looms,  employ  209 
males  and  445  females ;  consume  130,000  Ibs.  cotton  per  month, 
225  tons  of  coal,  280  gallons  sperm  oil,  &c.,  and  produce  about 
6,220,000  yards  per  year,  mostly  fine  printing  cloths.  The  value, 
when  printed,  of  the  product  of  these  mills,  is  over  six  hundred 
thousand  dollars  per  annum.  The  goods  are  priuted  by  the 
Gloucester  Manuufacturing  Company,  another  corporation,  whose 
works  are  situated  near  the  above.  This  corporation  employs 
about  100  hands,  mostly  males.  It  will  thus  be  seeu,  there 
are  some  factories  in  and  near  Philadelphia  that  will  compare 
favorably  with  those  of  any  other  place ;  but  it  would  be  highly 
desirable  and  good  policy,  to  erect  one  or  more  calculated,  from 
bize  and  arrangement,  to  give  eclat  to  the  manufacture. 


252  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

The  majority  of  the  operatives  in  the  factories  are  English  or 
Anglo-Americans.  The  hours  for  working  are  usually  10^ 
per  day;  but  as  operations  cease  early  on  the  afternoon  of  Sat- 
urday, the  average  for  the  week  is  ten  hours.  In  New  England, 
and  many  other  places,  labor  is  extended  to  eleven  hours  or  more, 
daily.  The  female  operatives,  though  perhaps  less  literary  than 
their  Lowell  sisters,  are  seemingly  as  attractive  in  appearance, 
skillful  in  manipulation,  and  correct  in  deportment.  Their  earn- 
ings, as  weavers,  are  from  $4  to  $5  ;  and  as  spinners  and  spool- 
ers, who  are  mostly  young  girls,  from  $2  to  $3  per  week.  The 
identity  of  interests  which  exists  between  the  employer  and  the 
employed  is  seemingly  comprehended  more  clearly  by  both,  and 
the  relations  between  them  exhibit,  on  the  part  of  the  former,  more 
paternal  characteristics  than  is  evidenced  where  the  employers 
are  large  corporations.  Some  of  the  manufacturers  are  men  who 
are  distinguished  for  benevolent  effort ;  and  in  some  instances, 
where  the  factories  are  remote,  schools  and  churches  have  been 
specially  established  by  factory  proprietors.  The  distinctive  fea- 
ture, however,  of  the  Dry  Goods  Manufacture  in  Philadelphia  is — 
HAND-LOOM  WEAVING. 

It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  notwithstanding  the  rapid  substi- 
tution of  power  for  the  production  of  textile  fabrics,  and  the 
growth  of  large  establishments  from  the  results  of  accumulated 
capital,  there  is  no  actual  decline  in  the  number  of  hand-looms 
in  operation.  There  are  fewer  looms  devoted  to  certain  classes 
of  goods,  and  in  certain  localities,  than  formerly ;  but  the  aggre- 
gate of  such  looms  now  in  operation  is  probably  fully  equal  to 
that  in  any  former  period.  Philadelphia  is  truly  the  great  seat 
of  Hand-loom  Manufacturing  and  Weaving  in  America.  There 
are  now,  within  our  knowledge,  4,760  hand-looms  in  operation 
in  the  production  of  Checks  and  other  Cotton  goods;  Carpetings, 
Hosiery,  &c. ;  and  it  is  probable  that  the  true  number  approxi- 
mates six  thousand. 

The  material  is  furnished  by  manufacturers,  and  the  weavers 
are  paid  by  the  yard.  The  weaving  is  done  in  the  houses  of 
operatives ;  or  in  some  cases  a  manufacturer,  as  he  may  be 
termed,  has  ten  or  twelve  looms  in  a  wooden  building  attached 
to  his  dwelling,  and  employs  journeymen  weavers — the  em- 


.^  HAND-LOOM   WEAVING.  253 

ployed  in  some  instances  boarding  and  lodging  in  the  same  house 
as  their  employer.  Throughout  parts  of  the  city,  especially 
that  formerly  known  as  Kensington,  the  sound  of  these  looms  may 
be  heard  at  all  hours — in  garrets,  cellars,  and  out-houses,  as  well 
as  in  the  weavers'  apartments.  Among  the  weavers  there  arc 
many  very  intelligent  men,  and  some  that  have  been  employed  in 
weaving  those  magnificent  damasks,  and  other  cloths,  that  Eu- 
rope occasionally  produces  to  gratify  the  pride  of  her  rulers. 
But  the  subject  and  statistics  of  Hand-loom  Weaving  are 
fully  and  well-considered  by  Mr.  Edward  Young,  in  the  subjoined 
report,  to  which  we  invite  the  reader's  attention. 

REPORT. 

"  SIR  : — In  my  previous  report  on  Hand-loom  Weaving,  I  stated 
that  in  the  city  there  are  at  least  2,000  hand-looms  engaged  on  Checks, 
Ginghams,  Linseys,  and  to  a  small  extent  on  Diapers.  As  this  esti- 
mate was  larger  than  any  previously  stated,  you  desired  such  evidence 
as  should  prove  conclusively  the  correctness  of  my  assertion,  if  disputed. 
I  have  therefore  given  much  attention  to  the  subject,  but  regret  that 
longer  time  could  not  be  allowed  in  order  to  investigate  the  subject 
thoroughly.  As  I  previously  stated,  the  manufacturers  do  not  own 
the  looms.  Each  has  in  operation  from  20  to  100,  and  one  has  300 
looms.  The  greater  part  are  situated  in  the  Seventeenth  and  Nine- 
teenth Wards,  (Kensington).  The  following  twenty-five  manufacturers 
altogether  employ  1250  looms.  Four  of  the  largest  employ,  on  an 
average,  100  each. 

William  Beattie,  Edw.  Murray, 

James  Beattie,  James  Nolan, 

John  Dallas,  John  Quin, 

Robert  Dallas,  Patrick  Quin, 

E.  Devlin,  Arthur  Rodgers, 

John  Elliott,  W.  Rowbotham, 

J.  Dickey,  E.  Ryan, 

J.  Donohoe,  D.  Murphy, 

James  Irwin,  William  Steele, 

Alexander  Jackson,  W.  Stevenson, 

James  Long,  Thomas  Stiuson, 

A.  <fe  J.  Mabin.  John  Whiteside. 

*  John  Scanlin,  1435  Howard  street,  (also  diapers). 

All  of  these,  with  one  exception,  are  engaged  in  making  Checks  in 
connection  with  Linseys,  Cottonades,  Ginghams,  &a    The  exception  is 
20* 


254  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Patrick  Quin,  Master  and  Cadwalader  streets,  who  makes  an  excellent 
article  of  Damasks,  Marseilles,  figured  Pantaloon  Stuffs,  &c. 

"  Besides  the  above,  there  are  at  least  250  looms  in  the  Northern  part 
of  the  city 

"  In  the  Southern  and  "Western  parts  of  the  city  are  the  fol- 
lowing:— Andrew  Catherwood,  James  Dearie,  Greer  &  McCreight, 
Thomas  Dickson,  James  Lamb,  Robert  Little,  Thomas  Maxwell,  An- 
drew Mitchell,  Samuel  Orr,  Robert  Paul,  John  Perry,  and  R.  Selfridge. 
These  twelve  manufacturers  employ  altogether  about  500  looms;  but  there 
are  many  others  whom  I  have  not  seen.  A  very  intelligent  manufacturer, 
who  has  been  long  engaged  in  the  business,  assures  me  that  there  are 
one  thousand  looms  in  the  South  end  alone.  Anxious  not  to  overstate  the 
production,  I  place  the  number  at  750  ;  which  is  a  low  estimate,  for  Mr. 
Selfridge  alone  affords  employment  to  300  looms.  The  number  of 
nand-looms  employed  on  Checks,  Ginghams,  Linseys,  Cottonades,  Dia- 
pers, &c.,  I  repeat,  therefore,  is  as  follows  :  In  the  Northern  part  of  the 
city,  1,250  looms  ;  in  the  Southern  and  "Western  part,  750  looms — Total 
2,000  looms. 

"  The  daily  production  of  hand-looms  is  as  follows :  On  Linseys,  40 
yards ;  Checks  and  Ginghams,  30  yards — making  allowance  for  dull 
seasons,  the  average  is  stated  by  manufacturers  at  25  yards  per  diem. 
To  show  that  this  is  a  moderate  estimate,  I  state  the  prices  paid  in 
1857,  for  weaving,  viz. :  Linsey,  2  to  2j  cents  per  yard  ;  Checks,  2£  to 
3  cents.  During  the  late  depression  less  than  those  prices  was  paid. 
At  these  rates,  a  weaver  who  makes  25  yards  the  year  round,  will  earn 
from  $3  to  $4£  a  week  ;  a  sum  seemingly  inadequate  to  support  a  family. 

"  The  production  of  2,000  looms,  at  25  yards,  is  50,000  jards  daily ; 
and  counting  300  working  days  in  a  year,  is  15,000,000  yards  yearly — 
which,  at  an  average  of  11  cents  per  yard,  amounts  to  $1,650,000. 
The  number  of  hands  employed  are — weavers,  2,000 ;  winders,  spool- 
ers, &c.,  1,000 — Total,  3,000.  The  amount  paid  yearly  to  operatives, 
is  $650,000. 

"  Now  as  to  Hosiery.  With  the  reputation  of  Germantown  Hosiery 
and  Woolen  goods,  you  no  doubt  are  familiar.  If  you  speak  favorably 
of  it,  'Uncle  Sam'  will  confirm  your  remarks  ;  for  not  only  has  he  the 
Shoes  and  Clothing,  but  the  Stockings  for  his  Army  and  Navy  made  in 
Philadelphia,  where  experience  has  shown  the  best  articles  are  pro- 
duced. One  manufacturer,  T.  Branson,  made  last  year  Jive  thousand 
dozen  pairs  for  the  Government ;  and  is  now  completing  a  contract  for 
5,000  dozen  more,  while  others  are  making  2,500  dozen  in  addition.- 
The  Hosiery  business  is  of  great  economical  interest,  inasmuch  as  it 
affords  employment  to  a  large  number  of  females,  who  sew  and  finish 


HAND-LOOM   WEAVING. 


255 


the  various  articles  after  they  leave  the  frame ;  and  thus  at  leisure 
hours  add  to  the  income  and  comforts  of  their  families. 

"  There  are  three  kinds  of  Knitting-frames  in  use,  viz. :  the  old  hand- 
frame,  such  as  has  been  so  long  in  use  in  England,  and  which  requires  a 
great  outlay  of  muscular  power;  the  lever  frame,  which  is  much  easier  on 
the  operative,  and  will  turn  out  nearly  double  the  work  of  the  old  frame  ; 
and  the  Rotary  Knitting  machine,  or  round  frame,  which  will  do  an 
ordinary  day's  work  before  breakfast,  and  at  slight  cost  of  manual  labor. 
The  last  has  been  in  use  some  ten  or  twelve  years  in  this  country. 
The  average  weekly  production,  either  of  Cotton  or  Woolen  Hosiery  on 
all  these  frames,  good,  bad,  and  indifferent,  in  dull  and  busy  seasons, 
is  15  dozen  per  week,  or  780  dozen  per  annum,  which,  at  $1.15,  the 
average  price  for  Cotton  Hosiery,  amount  to  $897,  the  yearly  production 
of  each  frame  on  cotton.  On  Woolen  Hosiery  the  quantity  is  the 
same  on  the  medium  and  larger  sizes.  The  prices  range  from  $1  for 
children's  to  $3  for  ladies' ;  while  a  few  very  superior  are  as  high  as  $5. 
Assuming  the  average  at  $2.12£,  the  annual  production  per  frame  on 
Woolen  Hosiery  is  $1,657  50.  Some  manufacturers  produce  more  of 
children's  hose,  and  half-hose ;  but  while  the  number  of  dozens  will  be 
greater  the  price  will  be  less,  and  the  aggregate  value  remains  the  same. 
The  total  number  of  Knitting-frames  and  machines  in  the  city  proper, 
and  Germantown,  exceeds  700,  besides  the  machines  in  use  by  Landen- 
berger  and  others,  who  have  large  factories.  Few  frames  are  devoted 
exclusively  to  making  Cotton  Hosiery ;  all  being  used  for  cotton  or 
woolen,  according  to  the  demand  and  remuneration.  As  Woolen  Ho- 
siery pays  better,  the  production,  as  estimated  by  intelligent  manufac- 
turers, is  nearly  three  fourths  of  the  whole. 

"  My  summary  of  Hand-Loom  production  in  Cotton  and  Woolen 
Goods,  is  as  follows  : — 


Lo«ms. 

Opera- 
tives. 

Annual 
Earnings. 

Prod« 
Yards. 

ction. 
Value. 

Checks,  Ginghams,  Linseys,  Diapers,  &c.... 
Carpets  —  Ingrain  and  Venitian  

2,000 
1,500 
560 
500 
200 

3,000 
2,500 
630 
750 
300 

$650,000 
695,000 
126,000 

15,000,000 
6,480,000 
1,680,000 

$1,650,000 
2,592,000 
504,000 
828,750 
179,400 

Total  

4,760 

7,180 

$5,754,150 

"  The  Hand-loom  and  Knitting-frame  business  in  Kensington  and 
Germantown,  affording,  as  it  does,  full  or  partial  employment  to  nearly 
ten  thousand  operatives,  and  support  to  upward  of  thirty-Jive  thousand  per- 
sons, is  of  vast  importance  to  our  city,  and  demands  greater  attention 
than  it  has  ever  received.  A  year  could  be  profitably  devoted  to  in 


256  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

vestigating  it  in  all  its  operations,  and  in  its  relations  to  other  branches 
of  industry,  and  a  folio  volume  filled  with  the  record  of  such  investiga- 
tions. The  cursory  examination  which  I  have  been  able  to  make  has 
awakened  in  my  mind  a  deep  interest  in  that  part  of  our  city  which  I 
denominate  '  The  Bee-hive,'  and  led  me  to  feel  more  sympathy  with  its 
busy  operatives. 

"EDWARD  YOUNG. 

"  P.  S.  A  manufacturer  stated  to  me  that  he  counted  the  names  of  2,200  In- 
grain Carpet  Weavers  appended  to  a  '  strike'  for  higher  wages,  about  two 
years  ago,  and  that  several  hundred  did  not  sign  the  document.  He  esti- 
mates them  at  2,700,  instead  of  1,500,  the  number  necessary  to  operate 
1,500  looms.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  business  is  really  more  extensive  than 
I  have  stated.  A  celebrated  English  manufacturer  admitted  the  fact,  that 
more  yards  of  Ingrain  Carpeting  are  annually  made  in  Philadelphia  than  in 
all  Great  Britain." 

The  following  is  a  condensed  summary  of  certain  aggregates  of 
production,  based  principally  upon  information  derived  from  pro- 
prietors themselves  ;  but  partly  also  from  calculations  of  averages, 
and  from  information  derived  from  commission-merchants  and 
others  possessing  knowledge  on  the  subject,  viz. : 

Woolen  and  Cotton  Goods,  by  power,     ...      ,<•<;.')  ju#         $13,163,968 
"         "         "  "        "  hand-looms,  (exclusive  of  Hosiery,)  4,746,000 

Hosiery  and  Fancy  Woolen  Goods  :  hand  power,     -        -    1,008,150 

factories,         -        -       800,000 

1,808,150 

Narrow  Textile  Fabrics,  Sewing  Silks,  Ac.,  ....         1,600,000 

Total  annual  product  in  Philadelphia  of  Dry  Goods,  $21,318,118 

The  hands  employed,  including  hand-loom  weavers,  number 
over  15,000  ;  and  the  total  spindles  in  operation  exceed  two  hun- 
dred thousand.  The  factories  are  less  numerous  than  the  pro- 
prietors, for  often  two  or  more  conduct  their  operations  in  the 
same  building,  and  use  the  same  power — but  in  other  instances, 
one  proprietor  owns  two  or  more  factories.  We  shall  not,  there- 
fore, enumerate  the  factories  merely,  but  herewith  subjoin — 

A  List  of  the  Principal  Manufacturers  of  Textile  Fabrics  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia. 

Allen,  William,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 
Arbuckle,  Daniel,  Eagle  Mill,  Mixed  goods. 
Armstrong  &  Shaw,  Satinets  and  other  woolen  goods. 
Armstrong,  John,  Germautown,  Hosiery. 
Austin  David,  Globe  Mill,  Pantaloon  stuffs. 


MANUFACTURERS   OF   TEXTILE   FABRICS.  2.57 

Baird,  William,  Frankford,  Apron  checks. 

Barlow,  James,  Haddington,  Shawls. 

Beattie,  William,  Ginghams,  diapers,  miners'  flannels,  &c. 

Bechmann,  Q.  F.,  Upholstery  trimmings,  cords  and  tassels. 

Beaux,  J.  P.,  &  Co.,  Silk  sewing  thread. 

Birchell,  Elias,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 

Black,  William  R.,  &  Co.,  Fairmount  Mill,  Cotton  spinners. 

Blundin,  Richard,  Cassimeres  and  other  woolens. 

Branson,  T.,  Woolen  and  cotton  hosiery. 

Briggs'  Print  and  Dye  Works,  Fraukford. 

Bromley,  J.,  <fc  Son,  Fifth  and  Germantown  Road,  Carpets. 

Bronson  &  Co.,  Germantown,  Hosiery,  &c. 

Brown,  David  S.,  President  Gloucester  Manufacturing  Company, 

Printing,  Dyeing,  Bleaching,  and  Finishing. 
Bruner,  J.  P.,  Shawls  and  other  woolen  goods. 
Burke,  James,  Print  and  Dye  Works. 
Button,  John,  &  Son,  Germantown,  Hosiery,  &c. 
Callaghan,  Robert,  Cassimeres  and  jeans. 
Callaghan,  George,  Paschalville,  Heavy  cassimeres. 
Campbell,  A.  &  Co.,  Schuylkill,  Linden,  and  Crompton  Steam 

Mills,  Ginghams,  checks,  and  cottonades. 
Carr,  Joseph,  Mount  Airy,  Cotton  yarn,  wioking,  and  laps. 
Carr,  Edward,  Webbing,  braids,  tapes. 
Champrony,  J.  B.,  Ladies'  dress  trimmings. 
Clegg,  Joseph,  opposite  Manayunk,  Woolen  jeans,  &c. 
Clendenning,  John,  Aramingo  Mills,  Table-cloths,  stair  crash,  &c. 
Colladay  &  Bowers,  Aramingo  Mill,  Checks. 
Conkle,  Henry,  Jr.,  Cotton  cord. 
Craige,  Thomas  H.  &  Co.,  Star  Mill,  Cotton  yarns. 
Craige,  William,  Print  and  Dye-house. 
Creagmile  &  Brother,  Carpets. 

Crowson  Brothers,  Germantown,  Fancy  knit  goods  and  hosiery. 
Dearie,  J.  &  J.,  Yankee  Mill,  Shawls,  colored  checks,  &c. 
Derbyshire,  John,  Kensington  Mill,  Osnaburgs. 
Dickson  &  Gans,  Aramingo,  Dyers  and  Finishers. 
Divine,  Wm.,  &  Son,  Kennebeck  Factory,  Kentucky  jeans,  &c. 
Divine,  Wm.,  &  Son,  Penn  Factory,  Kennebeck  checks  and  print 

cloths. 
22* 


258  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Divine  &  Tomlinson,  Hosiery  and  fancy  woolen  goods. 

Dobson  &  Co.,  Falls  Mill,  Woolen  carpet  yarn,  &c. 

Drake,  Thomas,  Western  Mill,  Print  cloths  and  cotton  yarns. 

Drake,  Thomas,  Coaquanock  Mill,  Kentucky  jeans. 

Dudley,  John,  207  Quarry  St.,  Webbings,  bindings,  and  bed-lace. 

Erben,  Peter  C.,  Kin ggold  Factory,  Jeans  and  other  mixed  goods. 

Ervin,  Alexander,  Kensington,  Dye-house. 

Evans,  George  P.,  Fancy  cassimeres. 

Everett  &  Bohem,  Sewing  silk. 

Ferz,  Jacob,  Print  and  Dye  Works. 

Finley,  Thomas,  Carpets. 

Finley,  William,  Carpets. 

Fleming,  Joseph,  Cottonades,  Canton  flannels,  and  apron  checks 

Fling,  Geo.,  &  Brother,  Germantown,  Carpet  and  hosiery  yarns. 

Foss,  G.  W.  &  Co.,  Sewing  silks,  tram  and  organzine. 

Foster,  Israel,  Filling's  Mill,  Satinets,  &c. 

France,  John  &  E.,  Germantown,  Carpets. 

Frazer,  John,  Apron  checks. 

Fryer,  H.  L.,  Fringes,  tassels,  &c. 

Fulforth  &  Lovelidge,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 

Gadsby,  John,  &  Sons,  Hosiery. 

Garsed,  R.  &  Brother,  Wingohocking  Mills,  Denims,  ducks,  Os- 

naburgs,  bagging,  &c. 

Garside,  Joseph,  Franklin  Mill,  Cassimeres  and  wool  tweeds. 
Gorgas,  Matthias,  Wissahicon,  Cotton  wadding. 
Graham,  John,  James,  and  Walter,  Carpets. 
Graham,  John  C.,  Ladies  dress  trimmings. 
Granlees  &  Norris,  Columbia  Factory,  Ginghams,  plaids,  linseys, 

and  linen  checks. 

Greer  &  McCreight,  Ginghams  and  tweeds. 
Greer,  Johnson,  Columbia  Factory,  Apron  checks. 
Greenwood,  John,  Wissahicon,  Carpets  and  carpet  yarns. 
Greenwood  &  Co.,  McFadden's  Mill,  Manayurik,  Carpet  yarn. 
Greul,  Godfrey,  Coach  laces. 
Guy,  Robert  &  Co.,  Apron  checks  and  tweeds. 
Haberstick,  John  J.,  Webbing,  &c. 
Haly,  Robert,  Wissahicon,  Jeans  and  dyed  yarns. 
Harrop,  Thomas,  Sewing  silks,  &c. 


MANUFACTURERS   OF    TEXTILE   FABRICS.  259 

Hawkyard  &  Whitaker,  Falls  Mill,  Woolen  yarn. 

Heft,  Jacob  D.,  Wissahicon,  Dye-house. 

Hensel,  H.  W.,  Fringes  and  Ladies  dress  trimmings. 

Henson,  William,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 

Hill,  Joseph  &  George  W.,  Germantowu,  Cotton  carpet  yarns. 

Hill,  John,  Kensington,  Dye  Works. 

Hilton,  James,  Flat  Rock  Mill,  Woolen  carpet  yarn. 

Hogg,  William,  Kensington,  Carpets. 

Hogg,  James,  Kensington,  Carpets. 

Holt,  Richard,  Globe  Mills,  Cotton  yarns. 

Hooley,  B.,  &  Son,  Sewing  silks. 

Horn,  Wm.,  &  Brother,  Woolen  yarns. 

Horrocks,  J.  &  W.,  Frankford,  Dyers  and  Finishers  of  Cotton 

goods. 
Horstraann,  Wm.  H.,  &  Sons,  Military  goods,  and  narrow  textile 

fabrics  of  every  kind. 

Howorth,  Israel,  Dark  Run,  above  Frankford,  Woolen  cloths. 
Hunter,  James  &  John,  Hestonville,  Print  and  Dye  Works. 
Irwin  &  Stinson,  Montgomery  Mill,  Kensington,  Canton  flannel 

carders. 

Jennings  &  Sons,  Kensington,  Woolen  carpet  yarns. 
Jones,  George,  Hestonville,  Fine  cassimeres. 
Jones,  Thomas,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 
Jones,  Aaron,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 
Jones  &  Duer,  Upholstery  and  silk  trimmings. 
Kemper,  J.  &  A.,  Ladies  dress  trimmings. 

Kempton,  Jas.  C.,  Roxborough  Fact'ry,  Cotton  checks  and  stripes. 
Kershaw's  Mill,  Satinets  and  wool  tweeds. 
Kitchen,  Wm.  &  Son,  Wissahicon,  Jeans  and  cassimeres. 
Lambert  &  Mast,  Tassels  and  cord. 
Landenberger,  Martin,   Kensington,   Hosiery  and  fancy  woolen 

goods. 

Kolmer,  P.,  Bed  coverlets. 
Lafferty,  M.,  Dyeing,  &c. 
Large,  John,  Frankford,  Dyeing  and  Finishing. 
Laycock   &  Holt,   Pennsylvania  Knitting  Works,  Woolen   knit 

goods  and  hosiery. 
Leckey,  John,  Kensington,  Carpets. 


200  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Ledward,  James,  Manayunk,  Woolen  and  carpet  yarn. 

Levine,  A.  T.,  Fringes,  gimps,  tassels,  &c. 

lie  vine,  S.,  Girth- web  fabrics. 

Lodge,  Fleetwood,  Cotton  laps  and  carpet  yarn. 

Lodge,  Jonathan  &  Bro.,  Holmesburg,  Cotton  yarns  and  laps. 

Long,  James,  Star  "Mill,  Ginghams,  checks,  woolen  plaids,  Canton 

flannels,  table  diapers,  &c. 

Lord,  James,  Wissahicon,  Woolen  yarns  and  carpets. 
Lord,  Rushton,  &  Co.,  McFadden's  Buildings,  Fine  woolen  yarns. 
Lucas,  James,  Checks,  pantaloon  stuffs,  &c. 
Marks,  A.  &  Co.,  Cords,  fringes,  tassels,  &c. 
Mary-aine,  A.  S.  &  Co.,  Steam  Dye-house. 
Maxson,  John,  &  Son,  Lower  Manayunk,  Satinets,  cassimeres,  &c. 
Maxwell,  Thomas,  Dye  Works. 
Maxwell,  J.  G.  &  Son,  Dress  trimmings. 
Maynard,  Henry  J.,  Gimps,  &c. 

McBride,  T.,  &  Son,  Franklin  Mill,  Checks,  cottonades,linseys,  &c. 
McClain,  Edward,  Apron  checks. 
McCallum,  A.,  &  Co.,  Glen  Echo  Factory,  Carpetings. 
McCune,  Clement,  &  Co.,  Ringgold  Fact'y,  Plaids  &  cottonades 
McMullin,  David,  Kensington,  Carpets. 
McNutt,  Bernard,  Cotton  and  mixed  cloths. 
Meadowcraft  &  Winterbottom,  Frankford,  Checks,  cottonades 
Meves,  Charles,  Fringes  and  tassels. 
Miller,  James,  &  Son,  Smith's  Mill,  Apron  checks. 
Mills,  John,  Refinishing,  pressing,  &c. 
Milne,  David,  Ginghams,  linseys,  pantaloonery. 
Myers,  Mrs.  R.,  fly  nets,  &c. 
Mitchell,  Andrew,  Ginghams,  &c. 

Moody,  Paul  R.,  Fairhill  Mill,  Osnaburg  stripes  and  checks. 
Nugent,   George,  Falls  Factory,  Falls  of  Sclmylkill,  Jeans  and 

twills,  Dye-house. 

Orange,  W.  B.,  Ashland  Mill,  Broad,  bel.  Coates,  Sewing  silks,  Ac. 
Philadelphia  Webbing   Company,   (J.  <fc  J.  P.  Steiner  &  Co. 

Agents,  9  Bank  street,)  Bindings,  webbings,  &c. 
Perry,  John,  Mixed  goods  and  stripes. 
Preston,  E.  W.  &  J.,  Flat  Rock  Mill,  Kentucky  jeang. 
Baby,  Samuel,  Ginghams  and  checks. 


MANUFACTURERS   OF   TEXTILE   FABRICS.  261 

Randall,  Gould  &  Barr,  Germantown,  Cotton  tie  yarn  and  twint 

Reed,  Thomas,  Tottenham  Mill,  Manayunk,  Kentucky-jeans. 

Riggs,  C.,  Kensington,  Dye  Works. 

Ring  &  Bros.,  Flat  Rock  Mill,  Manayunk,  Woolen  carpet  yarn.  • 

Ripka,  Joseph,  &  Co.,  Manayunk  Mills,  Cottonades,  &c. 

Ripka,  Joseph.  &  Co.,  City  Mills,  Satinets,  Cassimeres,  &c. 

Rockord,  Philip,  Winpenny's  Mill,  Jeans,  &c. 

Rodgers,  James  B.,  Finishing  silks  and  cloths. 

Sacriste,  Lewis,  &  Son,  West  Philadelphia,  Satinets  and  jeans 

Scholes,  Wm.,  Kensington,  Fancy  woolen  hosiery,  &c. 

Schofield,  Thos.,  Hill's  Mill,  Wissahicon,  Woolen  carpet  yarn. 

Schofield,  Benjamin,  opposite  Manayunk,  Woolen  carpet  yarn 

Schofield,  John,  &  Co.,  Manayunk,  Cotton  carpet  yarn. 

Schofield,  B.  &  M.,  Woolen  yarns. 

Schofield,  M.,  McFadden's  Mill,  Manayunk,  Cotton  carpet  yarns 

Selfridge,  Robert,  Checks,  ginghams,  linseys,  and  miners'  flannels. 

Shaw,  John,  &  Son,  Schuylkill,  above  Manayunk,  Woolen  goods. 

Scanlin,  John,  Checks,  ginghams,  linseys,  diapers,  and  cottonades. 

Simons,  William  C.,  Manayunk,  Cotton  yarns. 

Simons,  William  C.,  Manayunk,  Cotton  yarns. 

Simpson,  William,  Thornton  Works,  opposite  Falls  of  Schuylkill, 

Print  and  Dye-house. 
Simpson,  Hood,  Madison  Mill,  Plaids,  stripes,  ginghams,  checks, 

prints,  and  cotton  yarns. 
Solms,  Sidney,  Pekin  Mills,  Manaynnk,  Jeans. 
Spencer,  Charles,  Leicester  Knitting  Mills,  Germantown,  Fancy 

knit  woolens  and  hosiery. 

Spitz,  Joseph,  Webbings,  bindings,  and  diamond  bed-lace. 
Smith,  Jesse  E.,  Chatham  Mill,  Kensington,  Cassimeres,  &c. 
Smith,  John  D.,  Marion  Print  Works,  Satinet  printing,  &c. 
Smith,  Thomas,  Belfield  Print  Works,  above  Frankford. 
Smith,  Thomas,  Philadelphia,  Silk  dyer. 
Smyth,  James  P.,  Washington  Mill,  Apron  checks,  &c. 
Sonneboyn,  Lewis,  Carpets. 
Stafford  &  Co.,  Manayunk,  Woolen  carpet  yarn. 
Steele,  Wm.,  Hope  Mill,  Checks,  ginghams,  and  mariners'  stripes. 
Stephens  &  Whitaker,   Arkwright  Mills,   Manayunk,  Shirtings, 

tickings,  and  denims. 

Stone,  Amasa,  Quarry  st.,  Webbing,  lamp-wick,  &c. 
21 


262  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Steenson,  Robert,  Carpets  and  Dye-house. 

Sutton,  Geo.,  &  Son,  Perseverance  Mills,  Lower  Manayunk,  Cas- 

simeres  and  twills. 

Taylor,  Yates  &  Co.,  Checks  and  plain  goods. 
Taylor,  Robert  &  James,  Haddington,  Mixed  goods. 
Thompson,  Andrew,  Craige's  Mill,  Apron  checks. 
Thornton  &  Smith,  Globe  Mill,  Kensington,  Apron  checks. 
Walker,  R.  J.,  Kensington,  Girard  Finishing  Works. 
Watt,  W.  &  J.,  Ginghams,  checks,  and  pantaloon  stuffs. 
Watt,  John  M.,  Nineteenth  and  Pine,  Mixed  goods. 
Watt,  William,  Jr.,  Globe  Mill,  Kensington,  Checks. 
Waters,  John,  Haddington,  Woolen  jeans,  &c. 
Wallace,  David,  Manayunk,  Kentucky  jeans. 
Wade,  Edward,  Germantown,  Hosiery. 
Washington  Manufacturing  Company,  (David  S.  Brown,  Pres't.) 

Printing  cloths,  &c. 

Wakefield  Mills,  Fisher's  Lane,  Germantown,  Hosiery,  &c. 
Watson  &  Thorp,  Chestnut  Hill,  Print  and  Dye  Works. 
Whitaker  &  Waldron,  Keystone  Mill,  braids,  cords,  &c. 
Whitaker,  Wm.,  Cedar  Grove,  above  Frankford,  Cotton  goods. 
Winpenny,  James  B.,  Manayunk,  Cotton  yarns. 
Wilde,  Solomon,  Frankford,  Jeans,  plaids,  &c. 
Willian  &  Hartel,  Holmesburg,  Pennepack  Print  Works. 
Wilson,  Charles,  &  Co.,  Suramerdale  Dye  and  Print  Works. 
Winterbottom  &  Co.,  Aramingo  Mill,  Frankford,  Cotton  yarns. 
Wood,  Henry,  Marshall  street,  Cotton  laps. 
Wright,  John,  Craige's  Mill,  Checks,  ginghams,  and  pant,  stuffs. 

In  addition  to  the  factories  located  within  the  limits  of  the 
city,  or  so  close  to  the  borders  as  to  be  callod  in  the  city,  there 
are  a  great  number  in  the  adjacent  counties — some  of  them  very 
fine  and  large  establishments.  In  the  counties  of  Chester  and 
Delaware  there  are  over  fifty  factories  for  the  production  of  Cot- 
ton and  Woolen  goods ;  in  Montgomery  County  there  are  twenty- 
one  factories  not  included  in  our  statement — one  of  which,  located 
in  Norristown,  was  the  largest  mill,  it  is  believed,  in  the  United 
States,  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  Pacific  Mill,  at  Lawrence ; 
the  Harrisburg  Mills ;  the  Reading  Steam  Manufacturing  Com- 


DRY    GOODS.  263 

pany;  the  celebrated  Conestoga  Mills,  at  Lancaster;  five  or  six 
mills  in  and  near  Wilmington,  Delaware  ;  three  or  four  near  New- 
ark, Delaware;  the  Exton  Mill,  at  Extonville,  New  Jersey; 
the  New  Jersey  Mill,  at  Millville;  and  others  at  Bordentown, 
Trenton,  and  other  places,  whose  head- quarters  are  in  Philadel- 
phia. The  production  of  these  mills,  as  published  recently  in  the 
North  American,  from  returns  received  from  a  portion  only  of 
those  known  to  exist,  was  as  follows  : — : 

Production  of  Delaware  and  Chester  counties,         ...  $3,125,000 

"          of  exterior  localities  and  mills  in  Delaware,  3,571,000 

$6,696,000 
Add  for  Philadelphia  and  Gloucester,  as  previously  given,      -  21,318,118 


Total,  $28,014,118 

This  simple  statement  has  a  significance,  an  interest,  a  value 
to  every  dealer  in,  we  may  say  consumer  of  Dry  Goods  through- 
out the  Union,  even  to  the  remotest  frontiers  of  civilization. 
Nearly  thirty  millions — probably  over  thirty  millions  of  the  most 
useful  Textile  Fabrics  are  made  annually  in  Philadelphia  and  its 
vicinity ;  and  found  in  first  hands  in  the  warehouses  of  Phil- 
adelphia merchants.  No  comments  can  possibly  add  any  thing 
to  the  force  of  a  statement,  the  correctness  of  which  all  subsequent 
investigation  will  confirm,  or  if  extended  more  minutely,  will 
prove  to  be  below  the  truth.  We  need  deduce  no  inferences  from 
it,  for  the  eye  of  self-interest,  quick  in  its  perceptions,  is  generally 
quite  as  correct  in  its  conclusions  as  political  economy.  When 
to  the  fact  that  thirty  millions  of  Dry  Goods  are  produced  and 
controled,  if  not  monopolized  by  the  manufacturers  and  merchants 
of  Philadelphia,  we  add  another,  viz.,  that  the  manufacturers  of 
Old  England  and  New  England,  consign  every  season  their  pro- 
ducts to  be  sold  in  this  market  for  what  they  will  bring,  the 
conclusion  is  inevitable,  that  Philadelphia  is  the  cheapest  and  best 
market  in  the  Union  for  Dry  Goods ;  and  fairly  without  a  rival 
in  those  Staple  Goods,  the  bulk  of  every  stock,  which,  by  their 
intrinsic  value  and  low  price,  are  SPECIALLY  ADAPTED  TO  THE 
WANTS  OF  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  MlDDLE,  SOUTHERN,  AND  WESTERN 
STATES. 


264  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XV. 

Flour,  and  Substances  used  as  Food. 

1.    FLOUR. 

Twenty  years  ago  it  was  very  generally  believed,  that  good  Flour 
could  not  be  made  except  by  water  power.  The  use  of  steam  in 
Flour  Mills  was  then  a  novelty. — there  being,  at  the  time  the 
first  Steam  Mill  was  erected  in  Philadelphia,  say  in  1838,  but 
few,  if  any  others,  in  this  country.  It  was  objected  that  the  mill- 
stones, when  propelled  by  steam,  ran  too  fast,  and  that  the  steam 
heated  the  flour  too  much,  and  numerous  other  reasons  were  as- 
signed why  the  products  of  City  Mills  must  necessarily  be  infe- 
rior. Since  that  period,  however,  and  mainly  within  the  last 
eight  years,  so  great  a  revolution  has  been  effected  in  popular  opin- 
ion, that  now  City  Steam  Mill  Flour  is  invariably  preferred;  and 
the  products  of  at  least  one  maker  in  this  city,  whose  brands  are 
designated  as  the  "  Premium"  and  "  Red  Stone,"  command  in  the 
Liverpool  market  two  shillings  per  barrel  more  than  any  other 
Flour  of  the  same  grade.  Not  only  has  Genessee  Flour  been 
excluded  from  the  Philadelphia  market,  and  thus  three  quarters  of 
a  million  of  dollars  kept  at  home  annually,  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  Pennsylvania  farmers  ;  but  the  Philadelphia  brands  are 
now  popular  in  all  parts  of  the  world  to  which  United  States 
Flour  is  shipped  ;  while  certain  brands  have  the  preference  wherever 
they  are  known.  The  care  and  attention  which  are  given  by 
some  of  our  manufacturers  to  the  cleansing  of  the  wheat,  and  the 
success  attained  in  the  production  of  Extra  Family  Flour,  are  un- 
equaled  in  any  other  place. 

There  are  now  twenty-two  Flour  Mills  in  Philadelphia,  with  an 
aggregate  of  90  run  of  stones,  and  having  a  capacity  for  pro- 
ducing 15,960  barrels  of  Flour  per  week.  During  the  year  end- 
ing July  1,  1857,  the  production  of  Flour  in  this  city  was  over 
400,000  barrels ;  averaging  $7£  each,  or  $3,000,000  for  all,  to 
which  must  be  added  at  least  $200,000  for  Corn  Meal,  Mill  Feed, 
Hulled  Barley,  &c.  The  Wheat  consumed  was  1,800,000  bush- 
els. The  following  are  the  Flour  Mills  in  Philadelphia,  with 
their  power  and  weekly  production,  the  list  having  been  origin- 


BREAD,    CRACKERS,  ETC.                                  265 

ally  prepared  at  the  instance  of  the  Corn  Exchange  Association, 

and  now  published  with  some  additions  and  corrections : 

Horse  Run  of  Bbls.  Flour  Bush. 

Power.  Stone.  weekly.  Wheat. 

William  B.  Thomas,  (2)     -    -     125  12  2000        9000 

Rowland  &  Ervein,  ....    100  8  2400  10800 

Detwiler  &  Hartranft,  ...      90  6  1800        8100 

Girard  Mill, 50  4  700        3150 

S.  Roberts'  Mills,  (2)    -    -    -      45  5  500        2250 

J.  C.  Kern, 40  4  900        4050 

D.  C.  Gunckel, 40  5  900        4050 

C.  Heebner, 40  6  750        3375 

Meyers  &  Ervein,     ....      40  4  600        2700 

Twaddell  &  Smith, ....      40  4  500        2250 

J.  K.  Knorr. 40  3  400        1800 

A.  Comstock, 40  4  800        3600 

James  Watt. 30  4  500        2250 

E.  W.  Wilson, 30  3  450        2025 

Esson  &  Spencer,      ....      30  3  500        2250 

Keystone  State,  -         ...       30  3  500        2250 

A.  0.  Boehm 25  4  500        2250 

A.  Thorpe, 20  3  500        2250 

H.  W.  Marshall  &  Co.,   '-    ,"'    20  2  400        1800 

M.  B.  &  N.  Rittenhouse,  -    -      20  3  360        1620 


895  90      15,960      71,820 

2.     BREAD,     CRACKERS,     AND     SHIP    BISCUIT. 

The  Baking  of  Domestic  Bread,  as  at  present  conducted,  can 
scarcely  be  called  a  manufacture.  There  are  two  or  three  of  the 
bakers  who  work  up  daily  about  thirty  barrels  of  flour  each ;  and 
may  therefore  be  said  to  conduct  the  business  in  a  wholesale  way 
but  the  average  does  not  probably  exceed  five  barrels  per  day  for 
each  baker.  The  aggregate  production,  however,  must  amount 
to  a  large  sum ;  for  600,000  persons,  supposing  each  to  consume 
only  five  cents  worth  of  bread  in  a  day,  would  expend  in  a  year 
for  the  purpose  the  sum  of  $10,950,000. 

Within  the  last  year,  however,  a  company  was  organized  and 
incorporated  as  the  "Pennsylvania  Farina  Company,"  having  an 
authorized  capital  of  $500,000,  for  the  purpose  of  manufactur- 
21* 


266  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

ing  Bread  by  Steam  Power,  on  a  large — in- fact,  a  magnificent 
scale.  A  Bakery  has  been  erected  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and 
Vine  streets,  provided  with  two  of  "  Berdan's  Automatic  Ovens," 
and  all  the  necessary  equipments  for  the  conversion  into  Bread, 
it  is  said,  of  eight  hundred  barrels  of  flour  per  diem.  The  theory 
of  the  construction  is  that  all  the  processes,  from  the  mixing  of 
the  dough  to  the  final  delivery  of  the  bread,  may  be  effected 
solely  by  mechanical  agency.  The  kneading-machine  will  knead 
a  batch  of  ten  barrels  of  flour  in  less  than  twenty  minutes.  An- 
other machine  cuts  the  dough  into  loaves,  and  a  self-acting  reg- 
ister records  the  number.  Cars,  of  which  there  are  twenty-six — 
thirteen  ascending  and  thirteen  descending  at  the  same  time,  con- 
vey the  loaves  into  the  oven,  passing  through  the  oven  say  in 
thirty  minutes — the  time  allowed  when  baking  common-sized 
loaves — but  the  speed  varies  according  to  the  size  of  the  loaf. 
The  capacity  of  each  baking-car  is  sixty  loaves,  weighing  about  a 
pound  and  a  half  each.  The  temperature  of  the  ovens  is  regu- 
lated by  self-adjusting  dampers,  and  revealed  by  thermometrical 
indications. 

The  flavor  of  the  Bread,  it  is  claimed,  is  superior,  and  its  nu- 
tritive properties  increased  in  consequence  of  the  retention  of  an 
alcoholic  vapor,  arising  from  the  fermented  dough,  which  in  com- 
mon ovens  is  lost.  The  peculiar  odor  observable  also  in  home- 
made Bread,  baked  in  a  close  oven,  originates  in  the  condensa- 
tion of  this  vapor  into  a  fixed  oil.  Theoretically,  the  Mechanical 
Bakery  is  a  very  wonderful  institution  ;  practically,  it  has  not  as 
yet  effected  any  very  marked  revolution  in  the  Baking  business. 
Its  present  consumption  of  flour  is  about  forty-six  barrels  per  day. 

The  Baking  of  Pies  has  gradually  developed  into  a  consider- 
able business — a  number  of  persons  making  it  an  exclusive  occu- 
pation. The  pies  are  sold  wholesale,  at  prices  ranging  from  three 
to  ten  cents  each ;  and  the  largest  retailed  again  in  the  market- 
houses,  or  from  wagons,  at  twelve  cents ;  and  at  Restaurants  for 
twenty-five  cents  each.  But  the  only  branch  of  the  general  art, 
which  can  be  said  to  have  commercial  importance,  and  which  is 
properly  a  manufacture,  is  that  of  Baking  Biscuits,  Crackers,  and 
Ship  Bread. 

The  Crackers  produced  in   Philadelphia  have  long  enjoyed  a 


CURED    MEATS.  267 

celebrity  abroad,  especially  in  the  West  Indies,  South.  America, 
and  some  of  the  British  Provinces,  to  which  places  they  are  ex- 
ported in  considerable  quantities.  "  Wattson's  Crackers"  are 
regularly  quoted  in  Jamaica  prices  current. 

There  are  nine  establishments  in  the  city  engaged  in  this  busi- 
ness, having  a  capital  invested  of  $250,000  ;  consuming  annually 
50,000  barrels  flour,  1,000,000  Ibs.  lard  and  butter,  480,000  Ibs. 
sugar,  employing  125  men,  and  producing  about  120,000  barrels 
Crackers,  of  80  Ibs.  each,  of  the  value  of  $600,000. 

Ship  Bread  is  made  by  a  few ;  but  the  principal  product  is 
Crackers,  known  as  Water,  Soda,  Butter,  and  Sugar  Crackers — 
three  fourths  of  the  whole  being  sold  in  the  city  and  vicinity. 

To  carry  on  the  business  successfully  a  large  capital  is  neces- 
sary— not  only  for  the  erection  of  the  Ovens,  Machinery,  &c.,  but 
in  the  purchase  of  Flour  and  other  materials,  which  are  bought  for 
cash ;  while  the  Crackers  are  sold  in  this  city  on  time,  or  shipped 
to  distant  ports  to  await  returns. 

3.    CURED     MEATS. 

The  capital  constantly  invested  by  citizens  of  Philadelphia  in 
Beef,  Pork,  Lard,  Hams,  &c.,  or  what  is  denominated  Western 
Provisions,  probably  exceeds  two  millions  of  dollars.  Some 
brands,  having  the  highest  reputation,  though  sold  also  in 
other  markets,  are  controled  by  capitalists  of  Philadelphia. , 
This  market  derives  an  additional  advantage  from  the  circum- 
stance, that  the  facilities  of  transportation  now  established  be- 
tween Philadelphia  and  the  West  are  so  great  that  the  product 
of  the  hog,  for  instance,  as  we  showed  in  the  Introductory,  can 
be  transported  from  Cincinnati  to  Philadelphia,  and  shipped 
hence  half  way  to  Liverpool,  for  less  than  the  cost  of  transport- 
ing them  to  New  York  or  Boston. 

The  bulk  of  the  provisions  sold  in  this,  as  in  other  markets, 
is  prepared  in  the  West,  the  merchants  aiding  with  their  capital ; 
but  the  determination  to  be  satisfied  with  nothing  less  than  the 
best — characteristic  of  our  citizens  in  this  as  in  other  pursuits, 
has  impelled  several  firms  to  provide  facilities  for  smoking  Meats 
brought  from  the  West  and  fitting  them  for  market  under  their 
personal  supervision.  Establishments  have  been  erected  ex- 


268  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

pressly  for  the  purpose — some  of  them  acknowledged  to  be  the 
best  arranged  and  most  complete  of  their  kind  in  the  Union. 
Among  the  new  constructions  of  this  kind  there  are  several  en- 
tirely fire-proof,  and  capable  of  containing  at  a  time  100.000  Ibs. 
of  meats — the  capacity  of  one  being  120,000  Ibs.  or  sixty  tons. 
A  large  proportion  of  the  Meats  prepared  in  Philadelphia  being 
of  the  first  quality,  is  consumed  in  the  city  and  its  vicinity ;  but 
of  late  years  the  demand  from  the  South  is  regular  and  increas- 
ing. One  firm  does  an  extensive  business  in  shipping  to  Cali- 
fornia "  Clear  Bacon" — that  is,  Bacon  from  which  the  bones  have 
been  removed,  and  their  brand  has  secured  almost  a  monopoly  of 
that  market.  A  considerable  export  trade  is  done  directly  by 
butchers,  in  addition  to  the  regular  houses,  in  shipping  "Sheer 
Bacon"  to  Cuba. 

The  Curing  and  Packing  of  MESS  BEEF  are  also  largely  and 
successfully  carried  on  in  Philadelphia.  One  firm  has  slaugh- 
tered for  this  purpose  as  many  as  400  beeves  per  week,  for  several 
successive  weeks ;  and  the  abundant  supply  of  ice  always  at  com- 
mand, enables  the  packers  to  continue  operations,  without  inter- 
ruption, throughout  the  year.  The  cattle  are  generally  fattened  in 
the  counties  adjacent  to  the  city  ;  the  pasturage  being,  it  is  well 
known,  of  the  best  description. 

There  are  upward  of  thirty  firms  in  Philadelphia  engaged  in  the 
Wholesale  Provision  business — the  annual  sales  of  some  houses 
amounting  to  $700,000  each.  The  value  of  the  provisions — Beef, 
Hams,  Shoulders,  Sides,  Tongues,  Lard,  &c.,  cured  and  prepared 
in  Philadelphia,  is  estimated  at  $4,000,000.  The  Philadelphia 
brands  have,  deservedly,  a  high  reputation  in  Europe,  South 
America,  West  Indies,  California,  and  wherever  known.  Large 
quantities  are  shipped  to  the  South. 

4.  PRESERVED  FOOD,  SPICES,  AND  CONDIMENTS. 

The  art  of  Preserving  Animal  and  Vegetable  Food,  in  a  fresh 
and  sweet  state,  for  an  indefinite  period,  is  a  result  of  modern 
skill  and  ingenuity.  Its  practical  application  dates  back  but 
twenty-five  years,  and  is  intimately  connected  with  the  attempt 
made  to  explore  the  Arctic  regions.  As  soon  as  the  value  of  these 
preparations  became  known  in  cold  climates,  their  use  was  ex- 


PRESERVED    FOOD,    SPICES,    ETC.  269 

tended  to  hot  ones ;  and  so  great  is  their  present  popularity,  that 
thousands  of  tons  are  manufactured  in  England  and  America, 
and  used  in  all  hot  countries,  and  on  all  long  voyages. 

In  Philadelphia,  attention  has  been  principally  directed  to  the 
preservation  of  Fruits  and  Vegetables — the  abundance  and  ex- 
cellence of  these  articles  in  our  markets  affording  superior  oppor- 
tunities for  selection.  Some  idea  of  the  extent  of  this  trade  may 
be  found  from  the  fact,  that  in  one  establishment,  that  of  MILLS 
B.  ESPY,  there  were  put  np  in  a  single  year  upward  of  20,000 
pounds  of  cherries,  10,000  quarts  of  strawberries,  4,000  baskets 
of  peaches,  6,000  baskets  of  tomatos,  3,000  bushel  of  plums,  100 
bushels  of  gages,  100  barrels  of  quinces,  30,000  pine-apples,  1,000 
bushels  of  gooseberries,  2,000  bushels  each  of  corn,  peas,  and 
beans,  besides  300  hogsheads  of  pickles,  &c.  Although  a  com- 
paratively small  quantity  of  oysters  are  put  up  here,  nearly  12,000 
cans  were  prepared  in  this  house,  as  well  as  thousands  of  cans  of 
fresh  beef,  mutton,  veal,  milk,  and  other  articles.  The  sealing 
process  adopted  is  so  perfect  that  fruits  will  keep  for  years  in  any 
climate,  without  losing  their  natural  flavor,  or  in  any  manner  im- 
pairing their  beauty  of  appearance.  It  is  quite  common  for  New 
England  families  to  send  to  Philadelphia  for  these  articles. 

The  grinding  of  Spices  and  the  preparation  of  Chocolate  and 
Mustards,  occupy  the  attention  of  several  firms.  The  Messrs. 
Fell,  who  have  the  oldest  and  probably  the  best  arranged  Spice 
Mills  in  the  country,  have  attained  great  celebrity  in  this  manu- 
facture. * 

*  THE  FAULKLAND  SPICE  MILLS,  C.  J.  Fell  &  Brothers,  proprietors,  were 
established  more  than  three  quarters  of  a  century  ago,  by  Jonathan  Fell, 
and  have  since  that  time  increased  from  a  single-horse  mill,  to  an  estab- 
lishment possessing  all  the  new  improvements  in  mill  machinery,  and  using 
a  steam-engine  and  water  power,  equal  to  one  hundred  horses.  The 
principal  mill  is  located  near  Wilmington,  and  runs  (speaking  technically,) 
nine  pairs  of  stones.  These  are  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  Mustard, 
all  the  different  preparations  of  Cocoa,  the  grinding  of  Spices,  and  the 
making  of  Hominy.  The  last  is  so  prepared  by  a  new  process,  that  it  resists 
the  effects  of  any  climate,  and  keeps  sweet  and  good  for  years.  The 
requirements  in  tin  and  wooden  boxes,  kegs,  &c.,  for  packing  Spices,  furnish 
employment  to  a  large  number  of  persons.  For  this  purpose,  the  Messrs. 
Fell  have  also  a  machine,  propelled  by  steam,  which  weighs  accurately,  and 


270  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Within  the  last  few  years,  the  extending  popularity  of  the 
Essence  of  Coffee,  in  connection  with  the  preparation  of  Ver- 
micelli, Maccaroni,  Baking  Powders,  Turkish  Coffee,  Spices,  &c., 
provides  business  for  a  half  dozen  firms.  The  oldest  prepara- 
tion in  the  market  is  known  as  Hummels,  made  by  BOHLER, 
TOMSON  &  WEIKEL  ;  but  the  original  has  been  much  improved 
upon  since  its  introduction,  and  the  demand  is  increasing.  The 
Essence  of  Coffee  is  extensively  used  in  private  families,  and  first- 
class  hotels  and  boarding-houses  ;  for  besides  being  more  econo- 
mical, it  is  said  to  make,  in  connection  with  a  portion  of  real 
coffee,  a  decidedly  finer  flavored  and  more  pleasant  drink  than  the 
best  Java.  One  firm  in  Philadelphia  manufacture  about  forty 
thousand  dollars  worth  yearly.  Philadelphia  doubtless  exceeds 
any  other  place  in  the  extent  of  the  manufacture,  as  well  as  in 
the  quality.  New  York  makes  very  little ;  New  England,  little 
or  none  at  all. 

5.     VINEGAR. 

The  manufacture  of  Yinegar  is  carried  on  in  this,  and  all  our 
principal  cities,  as  well  as  in  the  country,  to  a  much  greater  extent 
than  is  generally  supposed,  or  its  apparently  limited  culinary  use 
would  seem  to  warrant.  But  in  addition  to  consumption  in 
this  way,  and  in  the  preparation  of  preserved  food,  this  article  is 
indispensable  in  several  branches  of  manufacture,  as  in  the  dress- 
ing of  Morocco  Leather — an  extensive  business  in  Philadelphia — 
and  in  Dye  and  Print  Works.  One  manufacturer,  Mr.  J.  G 
Peale,  informs  us  that  he  has  supplied  one  establishment  in  the 
latter  business  with  about  ten  thousand  gallons  annually.  One 

packs  the  Spices  neatly  in  bundles.     Its  ingenuity  and  speed  are  remark- 
able. 

The  Faulkland  Mills  are,  we  believe,  the  oldest  Mustard,  Chocolate,  and 
Bpice  Mills  in  the  country ;  and  the  advantages  of  long  experience,  the  best 
machinery,  together  with  the  business  integrity  of  the  proprietors,  are  real- 
ized in  the  celebrity  of  these  mills  for  the  purity  and  extent  of  their  produc- 
tion The  motto  of  this  house,  for  three  generations,  has  been,  "never  to 
sell  an  article  otherwise  than  as  represented;"  and  by  adhering  to  this 
rule,  and  avoiding  all  adulterations,  they  have  given  a  high  reputation  to  the 
Bpices  prepared  in  the  Philadelphia  market,  while  they  have  attained  a 
fortune  for  themselves. 


FURNITURE — UPHOLSTERY.  271 

Vinegar  maker  alone,  we  are  also  informed,  produces  daily  about 
ninety  barrels,  much  of  which  he  exports  to  other  parts  of  this 
country,  as  well  as  to  the  West  Indies  and  the  British  Provinces> 
There  are  some  twelve  or  fifteen  Vinegar  manufacturers — some 
of  whom,  as  well  as  these  referred  to,  make  large  quantities ;  the 
whole  business  amounting  to  at  least  $300,000. 

The  process  of  manufacture,  as  at  present  conducted  in  these 
establishments,  is  much  more  expeditious  than  that  still  in  use  in 
the  country  for  making  vinegar  on  a  small  scale. 

The  latter  method  consists  in  placing  the  cider  or  other  vinous 
liquid  in  casks,  with  open  bung-holes,  in  the  sun,  and  the  slow 
action  of  the  atmosphere  upon  their  contents  requires  nearly  two 
years  to  perfect  the  acidifying  process.  By  the  improved  mode, 
the  liquor  employed,  is,  by  the  addition  of  saccharine  or  other 
matter,  and  a  suitable  temperature,  so  managed  as  to  induce  its 
fermentation  ;  after  which,  it  is  slowly  filtered  by  a  kind  of  per- 
colation, through  tall  cisterns  or  tubs  packed  with  shavings,  &c., 
which  minutely  divide  the  liquor,  and  thus  expose  nearly  every 
drop  separately  to  be  acted  upon  by  the  air,  which  has  free  access 
from  beneath.  The  liquor  thus  absorbs  oxygen  from  the  atmo- 
sphere, and  being  drawn  off  by  a  pipe  near  the  bottom  of  the  butt, 
and  the  same  process  repeated  as  often  as  may  be  necessary,  the 
acetification  is  complete  in  a  very  short  time.  The  Vinegar  in 
this  state  is  set  away  to  clarify,  a  process  which  may  also  be  arti- 
ficially hastened,  and  in  one  or  two  months  is  ready  for  use. 

This  is  a  brief  outline  of  the  process,  though  other  minor  pre- 
cautions are  taken  to  regulate  it;  and  we  believe  that  proper 
manipulation  and  care  may  even  still  more  abridge  the  time,  as 
well  as  modify  the  color  and  strength  of  the  product.  Cider, 
whisky,  wme,  infusions  of  malt  and  ale,  liquids  capable  of  the 
acetous  fermentation,  will  make  vinegar :  but  the  first  three  are 
chiefly  used  here. 

XVI. 

Furniture,  Chairs,  and  Upholstery. 

SIR  :  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  furnish,  as  far  as  I  am 
able,  a  brief  abstract  of  the  Furniture  business  in  this  city. 


272  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

In  reply  to  your  first  question  I  can  answer,  that  the  Cabinet- 
making  business  has  very  much  progressed,  both  in  point  of  taste 
and  extent  of  production,  the  last  few  years.  In  1840  there 
were  but  few  Furniture  stores  in  Philadelphia,  arid  they  mostly 
small  ones ;  keeping  samples  of  the  styles  of  goods,  bat  relying 
mainly  on  orders  from  their  customers  to  supply  work  for  their 
employees.  A  Spring-seat  Sofa  was  then  a  luxury — almost  a 
novelty.  The  art  of  Yeneering  was  just  beginning  to  be  under- 
stood. Previous  to  this  period  a  crotch  of  Mahogany  wood, 
(which  was  then  mostly  used  for  furniture,)  was  cut  into  Yeneers 
by  a  narrow  blade  saw,  drawn  laterally  by  two  men.  They  could 
not  get  more  than  four  Yeneers  out  of  an  inch  thickness.  This 
was  a  great  waste  of  the  finest  class  of  material,  and  the  Yeneers 
conld  only  be  applied  to  flat  work  or  very  slight  curves.  About  this 
time  Circular  Saws,  some  of  which  were  seven  to  eight  feet  diameter, 
were  introduced,  and  gradually  improvements  were  made,  so  that 
at  the  present  time  it  is  not  uncommon  to  produce  sixteen  Ye- 
neers to  the  inch.  Mahogany,  Rosewood,  Walnut,  and  all  the  finer 
woods,  are  now  used  in  Veneering  with  such  skill,  that  elliptic  ogees, 
or  oval  surfaces  of  common  wood,  are  covered  with  a  thin  coating 
of  fine  wood,  thus  reducing  the  consumption,  comparatively,  of 
the  finer  woods.  In  the  course  of  time,  Mahogany  became  scarce ; 
and  growing  in  mountain  fastnesses,  it  was  procured  only  at  a 
great  expense.  Rosewood  has  always  been  equally  difficult  to 
obtain.  To  supply  the  deficiency,  the  merits  of  American  Walnut 
were  examined,  and  on  trial  it  was  found  equally  suitable  for  fine 
Furniture.  The  grain  of  the  wood,  and  the  feathery  character  of 
the  curl,  (where  two  main  branches  separate  from  the  trunk,)  are 
similar  to  Mahogany,  except  in  color  ;  the  Walnut  being  of  dark 
purple  shade,  though  varying  in  color  according  to  the  latitude 
and  nature  of  the  soil.  Walnut  is  now  used  more  than  all  other 
woods  combined.  The  supply  on  the  rich  bottom  lands  of 
Indiana,  and  the  Western  States  generally,  is  enormous,  and  the 
quality  so  superior  that  some  is  shipped  to  Europe. 

All  varieties  of  these  woods — Mahogany,  Rosewood,  Walnut, 
and  others,  are  used  by  the  Cabinet-makers  of  Philadelphia. 
There  are  nearly  one  hundred  employers  in  the  business,  and  at 
least  ten  large  warehouses,  where  the  most  fastidious  tastes  mav 


FURNITURE — UPHOLSTERY.  273 

be  satisfied  from  goods  already  made.  Philadelphia  has  a  well- 
merited  reputation  for  the  production  of  fine  Furniture ;  the 
carved  work  is  really  superb;  and  the  less  elaborate,  known  as 
Cottage  Furniture,  is  distinguished  for  excellent  workmanship, 
high  polish,  tasteful  painting,  and  moderate  price.  An  oak 
Sideboard,  carved  by  a  Philadelphia  sculptor,  I  notice,  was  re- 
cently regarded  by  the  visitors  to  the  American  Institute,  in  the 
Xew  York  Crystal  Palace,  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  speci- 
mens of  skill  in  the  exhibition.  The  Southern  demand,  which  is 
proverbially  fastidious  and  luxurious  in  the  choice  of  Furniture, 
is  almost  entirely  supplied  from  this  city.  With  the  increasing 
demand  for  fine  Furniture,  there  has  been  a  corresponding  im- 
provement of  taste  in  design  ;  and  it  may  be  well  doubted  whether 
France  can,  at  this  time,  exhibit  more  magnificent  displays  than 
can  be  seen  in  the  Cabinet  Warehouses  of  Philadelphia. 

In  respect  to  novelties,  about  which  yon  inquire,  I  had  not 
the  good  fortune  to  discover  any  very  remarkable.  The  trade 
are  generally  satisfied  with  substantial  excellence,  without  aspir- 
ing to  any  very  striking  effects.  In  Mr.  I.  LUTZ'S  establishment,  on 
Eleventh  street,  my  attention  was  attracted  to  an  ingenious  method 
adopted  by  him,  to  prevent  the  liability  of  carved  Mahogany  to 
break.  In  carved  Chair  work,  for  instance,  he  divides  the  Ma- 
hogany into  several  lateral  parts,  and  joins  them  by  glue  in  such 
a  manner  that  the  grain  of  the  wood  runs  in  different  directions. 
The  strength  of  the  wood  is,  by  this  method,  increased  in  pro- 
portion to  the  number  of  times  it  is  divided  ;  and  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Sofas,  large  Arm-chairs,  &c.,  its  advantages  are  espe- 
cially apparent.  Mr.  Lutz  employs  fifty  hands,  and  has  supplied 
Furniture  for  some  of  the  finest  mansions  in  this  city.  Two 
Sofas,  furnished  to  order,  at  a  cost  of  $175  each,  then  on  exhi- 
bition at  his  warerooms,  were  remarkable  specimens  of  elegant 
workmanship. 

In  GEORGE  J.  HENKEL'S  establishment,  I  was  particularly 
struck  with  the  immense  quantity  of  finished  Furniture  on  hand 
as  well  as  the  richness  and  fine  effect  produced  by  its  arrange- 
ment. The  rooms  then  occupied  by  him  were  175  feet  long  by  27  feet 
wide,  four  floors  in  number.  The  leading  purpose  of  this  estab- 
lishment is  to  supply  a  complete  assortment  of  first-class  Furni- 
22 


274  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

ture  for  an  entire  house ;  by  which  all  the  articles  from  the  attic 
to  the  kitchen  correspond  in  style,  modified,  of  course,  by  their 
situation.  In  the  construction  of  Extension  Tables,  Mr.  Henkels 
is  deservedly  pre-eminent — the  extension  being  formed  by  cross- 
arras  working  at  right  angles  on  metal  hinges,  which  preserve  i* 
from  swelling  or  shrinking  in  a  variable  climate. 

In  MOORE  &  CAMPION'S,  WHITE'S,  KLAUDER,  DEGINTHER  & 
Co.'s,  W.  &  J.  ALLEN'S,  and  other  warerooms,  the  display  of 
elegant  carved  Furniture  is  truly  magnificent. 

Church  and  Library  Furniture  constitute  a  special  depart 
ment  of  both  the  carving  and  furniture  business.     In  Philadelphia 
there  is  at  least  one — perhaps  many  others — who  has  attained  de 
served  distinction  in  this  branch.     For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury, Mr.  JOHN  HARE  OTTON  has  devoted  a  large  share  of  his  atten 
tion  to  Carving  and  making  Pulpits,  Lecturns,  Book  Cases,  &c., 
and  his  collection  of  designs  now  embraces  the  best  examples  in 
every  known  style.     In  so  long  an  experience,  he  has  executed  a 
large  number  of  the  most  elaborate  carvings ;  and  in  all  his  recent 
work,  especially,  has  manifested  excellent  taste,  and  an  apprecia- 
tion of  appropriateness  in  ornament  that  is  rarely  seen  in  Amer- 
ican decorative  art.     Mr.  Otton  has  also  executed  some  masterly 
patterns  in  Iron  and  in  Stucco,  which  constitute  a  branch  of  his 
business. 

Besides  those  who  are  engaged  in  the  wholesale  manufacture 
of  Furniture,  there  is  a  large  number  occupied  in  making 
special  articles.  At  least  twenty-five  establishments  in  the  city — 
some  of  them  of  considerable  extent — make  Cane-seat  and  Windsor 
Chairs.  One  manufacturer  has  substituted  Whalebone  for  Cane, 
which  is  an  evident  improvement.  Chair  findings  are  largely 
supplied  by  Mr.  McCullough,  and  a  new  establishment  is  about 
being  opened  solely  for  the  supply  of  chair  bottoms. 

There  are  several  manufactories  and  warerooms  of  Office  and 
Counting-house  Furniture  exclusively.  Articles  of  this  descrip- 
tion are  both  supplied  to  order,  and  kept  on  hand  in  large  quan- 
tities. Several  articles  belonging  to  this  category  were  remark- 
able as  novelties ;  but  among  those  which  seemed  to  me  to  com- 
bine novelty  and  usefulness  in  an  eminent  degree,  I  was  particu- 
larly attracted  by  the  Patent  Elevating  and  Graduating  Top 


•   ~  FURNITURE — UPHOLSTERY.  275 

Tables,  which  are  truly  a  business  luxury.  The  top  can  easily  be 
raised  or  lowered  to  suit  any  attitude ;  placed  upon  a  horizontal 
plane  or  inclined  as  the  lid  of  a  desk.  The  construction  is  firm 
and  all  the  appendages  of  drawers  and  boxes  are  complete.  The 
Office  Furniture  manufacturers  are  entitled  to  very  great  credit 
for  the  specimens  of  workmanship  that  they  exhibit. 

Billiard  Tables  have  been  made  in  Philadelphia  since  1809 — 
the  date  when  Mr.  THOMAS  DAVIS,  still  a  leading  manufacturer — 
commenced  business.  These  tables  are  now  made  at  four  or  five 
establishments ;  but  the  business  in  this  line  has  been  a  good  deal 
crippled  by  the  preference  given  to  the  Patented  Tables  and  Cush- 
ions, made  in  other  cities.  The  deficiency  in  this  respect,  how- 
ever, is  compensated  for  by  superiority  in  another  and  more  im- 
portant branch,  viz. ,  the  manufacture  of  VENITIAN  BLINDS.  It  is 
believed,  by  persons  professing  knowledge  on  the  subject,  that 
this  business  is  larger  in  this  city  than  in  all  the  rest  of  the 
United  States.  They  are  sent  to  almost  every  part  of  the  Union, 
and  to  the  British  Provinces.  The  lightness  and  beauty  of  the 
work  could  not  be  too  highly  praised,  and  the  cornices  and  trim- 
mings are  adapted  to  the  furniture  of  the  room  in  which  they  are 
hung,  with  remarkable  taste. 

Upholstering  is  carried  on  in  connection  with  the  manufacture 
of  Furniture,  and  also  as  a  separate  business.  It  embraces  the 
manufacture  of  Curtains,  Pew  and  other  Cushions,  and  the  mak- 
ing up  of  Carpets,  Hair  Mattresses,  Buff  Window  Shades,  &c. 
There  are  about  twenty  principal  concerns  engaged  exclusively  in 
this  business,  besides  a  vast  number  of  small  ones.  The  fitting  up 
of  churches  furnishes  considerable  employment  for  the  Uphol- 
sterers ;  an  average  bill  for  a  modern  fashionable  church  of  medium 
size  being  $1,500,  the  pews  alone  costing  $10  each.  The  West 
Arch  Presbyterian  Church  paid  $3,000  for  Upholstery  ;  and  the 
Academy  of  Music  a  much  larger  sum.  The  entire  business  of 
the  city,  in  this  branch,  is  about  a  half  million  of  dollars  annually. 

It  is  extremely  difficult  to  arrive  at  the  statistics  of  the  Furni- 
ture manufactured  in  Philadelphia ;  but  my  opinion,  after  labor- 
ious investigation  is,  that  including  all  the  above-named  branches, 
the  annual  business  will  reach  two  and  a  half  million  of  dollars. 
Some  manufacturers  state  it  at  three  and  a  half  millions.  S. 


276  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XVII. 

Glass  Manufactures. 

Intelligent  foreigners  have  repeatedly  complimented  the  manu- 
facturers of  Glass  in  the  United  States — not  only  for  excellence 
in  the  production  of  useful  articles,  to  which  they  have  hitherto 
given  their  attention  principally,  but  also  for  various  successful 
attempts  that  have  been  made  in  producing  those  rich  and  deco- 
rative works  which  belong  to  luxury  rather  than  to  utility. 
The  imitations  of  Bohemian  Glass  and  Opal  Glass,  made  in  sev- 
eral establishments  throughout  the  Union,  are  considered  better 
than  a  great  portion  of  those  produced  in  Europe.  In  Philadel- 
phia, the  Glass  manufacture,  though  surpassed  by  many  others  in 
amount  of  production,  is  nevertheless  sufficiently  extensive  to  be 
called  a  leading  pursuit.  The  locality,  by  reason  of  the  facilities 
for  procuring  the  raw  materials,  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  Union. 
The  finest  qualities  of  sand  are  obtained  from  the  adjacent  State 
of  New  Jersey,  and  the  alkali  are  supplied  by  the  Chemical  fac- 
tories in  the  city. 

There  are  at  least  thirteen  manufacturers  of  Glass,  whose  head- 
quarters are  in  this  city,  though  the  factories  of  some  are  located 
in  New  Jersey,  and  outside  of  the  city  limits,  viz. :  WHITALL, 
TATEM  &  Co.,  WHITNEY  &  BROTHERS,  BODINE  &  BROTHERS, 
BURGIN  &  SONS,  PHILADELPHIA  GLASS  COMPANY,  JOHN  H. 
MOORE,  BENNERS  &  BROTHERS,  SHEETS  &  DUFFY,  JOSEPH  POR- 
TER &  SONS,  HAY  &  Co.,  RICHARDS  &  BROTHERS,  JOHN  CAPE- 
WELL,  President  of  the  United  States  Glass  Company,  and 
THOMAS  MILLS. 

The  leading  business  is  the  manufacture  of  Green  and  Crown 
Glass  Bottles,  including  all  kinds  of  Druggists'  Vials,  Jars,  Demi- 
johns, Carboys,  &c.  This  kind  of  Glass  is  made  of  ordinary 
materials — generally  sand  with  lime,  and  sometimes  clay,  and 
alkaline  ashes  of  any  kind ;  but  great  care  and  considerable 
experience  are  required,  particularly  in  making  bottles  that 
are  to  contain  effervescing  fluids.  The  materials  must  be 
carefully  and  thoroughly  fused,  and  the  thickness  uniform 
throughout,  to  resist  the  pressure  of  the  contained  carbonic  acid. 
The  loss  of  bottles  by  bursting,  in  the  Champagne  trade,  is 


GLASS   MANUFACTURES.  277 

from  twenty  to  thirty  per  cent.  A  machine  has  been  contrived 
to  test  their  strength,  which  should  bear  the  pressure  of  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty-five  "atmospheres."  In  bottles  which  are 
to  contain  acids,  the  alkali  and  the  lime  must  be  chemically 
united  to  prevent  action  of  the  acid.  The  green  color  is  said  to 
be  owing  to  impurities  in  the  ashes,  generally  to  oxide  of  iron. 

Window  Glass  is  made  in  several  establishments  ;  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  various  sizes  and  qualities,  most,  if  not  all  in  this  bu- 
siness, make  double-thick  and  cylinder  Plate  Glass,  suitable  for 
coaches,  pictures,  and  extra-large  windows;  some  of  which  is  quite 
equal  in  quality  to  the  English  and  French  Cylinder  Plate  Glass, 
At  some  establishments,  white  and  colored,  plain  and  figured 
Enameled  Glass  is  made. 

One  firm,  Messrs.  BURGIN  &  SONS,  have,  in  addition  to  their 
furnaces  for  the  manufacture  of  Black  and  Green  Glassware,  one 
devoted  exclusively  to  the  manufacture  of  a  kind  of  Glass,  new 
in  this  country,  which  they  designate  "  German  Flint  Glass  ;"  and 
although  not  as  beautiful  in  appearance  as  Flint  Glass  containing 
lead,  it  is  preferable  to  it  for  many  purposes,  particularly  for  hold- 
ing acids  and  alkalies,  as  they  have  no  effect  upon  it.  It  is  a 
very  strong  variety  of  Glass-,  and  is  much  used  by  Chemists, 
Apothecaries,  and  Perfumers ;  it  can  be  colored,  moulded,  and 
pressed  into  all  the  various  patterns  and  forms  of  Flint  Glass, 
and  is  sold  at  intermediate  prices  between  Green  and  Flint  Glass. 

The  Philadelphia  Glass  Company  was  established  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  Rough  Plate  Glass,  particularly  rolled  or  hammered 
Glass  for  green-houses,  &c.,  and  flooring  Glass — articles  which 
previously  had  not  been  made  in  this  country.  The  excellence 
of  their  product  so  effectually  alarmed  foreign  manufacturers, 
that  they  reduced  the  price  at  once,  from  $2.25  per  square  foot 
to  75  cents,  and  are  now  actually  losing  money  on  their  sales,  in 
order  to  crush  an  American  competitor.  The  advantages  of  this 
locality  for  this  manufacture,  however,  are  so  great,  that  with 
proper  encouragement,  this  Company  believe  they  can  continue 
business  even  at  the  reduced  price.  They  are  now  manufacturing 
a  Glass  Furnace,  which  they  consider  equal  to  any  in  the  world. 

Besides  the  manufacturers  of  Glass  above  enumerated,  there  are 
leveral  whose  attention  is  devoted  to  supplying  orders  for  special 
22* 


278  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

kinds  of  Glass,  particularly  Tubes  for  Philosophical  Apparatus, 
Syringes,  &c.,  for  druggists.  Of  Glass-cutters  there  are  several 
in  the  city ;  while  the  Glass  mould  and  press  makers  are  entitled 
to  a  compliment  for  their  success  in  originating  novel  designs  and 
skill  in  their  profession,  particularly  for  being  able  to  make  a 
glass  bottle  precisely  similar  to  another  in  size  and  appearance, 
but  which  will  contain  considerably  less  in  quantity  1 

STAINED    GLASS. 

The  origin  of  this  beautiful  art  is  lost  in  the  dimness  of  an- 
tiquity. The  process  employed  in  modern  times  is  described  as 
follows.  After  the  figure  to  be  put  upon  the  plate  is  drawn  upon 
paper,  and  painted  as  desired,  it  is  transferred  to  the  glass,  which 
has  been  prepared  to  receive  it.  This  has  to  be  done  with  artistic 
skill,  equal  to  that  employed  upon  an  oil  painting,  and  requires 
much  more  care  in  its  execution.  In  transferring  fruits  and  flower 
pieces,  all  the  delicate  tints  of  the  objects  must  be  copied  with 
the  greatest  nicety.  The  glass  is  then  put  into  a  kiln,  and  sub- 
mitted to  a  heat  almost  sufficient  to  fuse  it,  which  not  only  has  the 
effect  to  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  painting,  but  makes  it 
a  part  of  the  glass  itself,  no  power  being  able  to  remove  it. 

There  are  two  principal  manufacturers  of  Stained  Glass  in 
Philadelphia,  Messrs.  J.  &  G.  H.  GIBSON,  and  FRANKLIN  SMITH. 
The  former  firm  has  just  completed  the  magnificent  glass  ceilings 
for  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Washington,  composed  of 
plates  having  the  appearance  of  enameled  work ;  the  Coats  of 
Arms  of  the  United  States  are  done  in  rich  colors,  giving  the 
effect  of  Mosaics  set  in  silver.  They  have  also  been  engaged  to 
furnish  the  Senate  ceiling  in  a  similar  manner.  The  Stained  Glass 
made  in  this  city  is  considered  quite  equal  to  that  of  European 
manufacture. 

XVIII. 
Hats,  Caps,  and  Furs. 

The  Hat,  which  is  regarded  by  some  as  more  indicative  of  the 
social  position  of  its  wearer  than  any  other  garment,  affords  a 
vride  field  for  research,  a  theme  for  many  speculations,  and  could 
be  aptly  used  in  illustrating  the  mutability  and  instability  of 


HATS — FURS.  279 

earthly  things.  We,  however,  have  no  leisure  for  any  farther 
reflections  than  to  express  gratification  that  the  heavy  Fur  and 
Wool  Hats,  whose  heat  and  weight  muddled  the  brains  of  our 
ancestors,  are  superseded  by  light  and  more  handsome  styles. 
Much  of  the  progress  that  has  been  made,  particularly  in  dimin- 
ishing the  weight,  it  is  proper  to  state,  is  due  to  American  enter- 
prise, the  most  important  improvement  being  that  of  "  water- 
proofing" the  bodies  previous  to  their  being  napped.  The  elastic 
properties  of  the  gums  used  in  this  process,  when  dissolved  in 
pure  alcohol  or  naphtha,  impart  a  body  to  the  materials  which 
enables  the  maker  to  reduce  a  considerable  proportion  of 
their  weight.  As  an  illustration  of  the  value  of  this  improve- 
ment, we  may  mention  that,  about  twenty  years  since,  ninety-six 
ounces  of  stuff  were  worked  up  into  one  dozen  ordinary-sized 
hats  for  gentlemen,  while  at  present  from  thirty-three  to  thirty- 
four  ounces  only  are  required  to  complete  the  same  quantity. 
It  is  therefore  scarcely  surprising,  as  we  learn  from  a  late  trav- 
eler, that  American  Hats  are  superseding  the  use  of  the  Turban 
in  Turkey! 

In  Philadelphia  there  are  extensive  concerns  engaged  in  the  Hat 
manufacture,  though  the  number  of  those  that  make  an  entire  Hat 
is  quite  limited.  The  furs  and  other  materials  used  are  for  the  most 
part  prepared  abroad,  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  where  children 
are  largely  employed  in  the  various  operations ;  but  three  fourths 
of  the  Hatters'  materials  used  are  imported  direct  by  houses  in 
this  city.  The  mode  of  manufacturing  is  partly  a  domestic  one, 
the  materials  being  given  out  to  workmen  who  shape  them  in 
their  own  houses,  though  the  principal  portion  of  the  work  is 
done  in  large  manufactories,  where  several  hundred  hands  are 
employed.  In  one  establishment,  which  commenced  operations 
within  the  last  two  years,  machines  are  largely  employed  in  all 
the  various  processes  of  making  soft  Fur  Hats,  and  Hat  bodies. 
By  means  of  a  machine,  known  as  Wells'  Patent,  the  shell  or  skel- 
eton body  is  made  so  expeditiously,  that  two  men  and  a  boy,  with 
its  aid,  can  form  three  hundred  Hats  in  less  time  than  ten  Hats 
could  be  produced  by  the  old  method.  In  this  manufactory  there 
are  seven  machines  in  constant  operation,  capable  of  producing 
over  two  thousand  Hat  bodies  per  day.  There  are  nine  other 


280  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS  MANUFACTURES. 

machines  for  the  separation  of  the  hair  from  the  fur.  Pickers, 
propelled  by  steam,  are  employed  for  mixing  the  Furs  ;  and  even 
the  Hats  are  washed  by  machinery — all  these  operations  being  per- 
formed better,  and  more  cheaply,  than  they  can  be  done  by  hand. 
The  proprietor,  Mr.  WM.  0.  BEARD,  has  an  engine  of  sixty-horse 
power,  and  employs  one  hundred  and  eighty  hands. 

The  branch  of  the  general  business,  in  which  Philadelphia  Hat- 
ters claim  to  excel  all  others,  is  in  the  production  of  Silk  and 
White  Fur  Hats.  For  producing  the  Pearl  White  and  Light 
Colored  Hats,  it  is  claimed  that,  in  the  water  of  this  city,  the 
makers  have  peculiar  advantages  ;  while  for  the  manufacture  of 
Silk  Hats,  they  have  an  advantage  in  being  able  to  command  at 
all  times  the  most  skilled  workmen.*  The  importance  of  this 
will  be  understood  when  we  state,  that  the  Silk  Hat  passes 
through  six  distinct  departments  before  its  completion  ;  each  de- 
partment requiring  hands  who  generally  serve  an  apprenticeship 
but  to  one  branch  of  the  business.  The  fashions,  as  a  general 
rule,  are  not  imported,  but  originate  with  the  leading  houses, 
with  only  a  slight  reference  to  those  prevailing  in  Paris. 

Journeymen  Hat-makers  may  be  said  generally  to  command 
good  wages ;  though  their  earnings,  inasmuch  as  they  work  by 

*  The  senior  partner  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  of  the  Hat  manufactur- 
ing concerns  of  Philadelphia — that  of  P.  HERST  &  Co. — was  one  of  the  pio- 
neers in  the  manufacture  of  Silk  Hats.  He  commenced  business  here  some 
fourteen  years  ago  in  a  very  small  way,  but  has  gone  on  increasing  and  ex- 
tending his  operations,  until  now  the  firm  employ  one  hundred  and  fifty  per- 
sons in  making  Silk  Hats,  and  supply  to  some  extent  nearly  all  the 
markets  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Herst  also  claims  to  have  been  the  in- 
ventor and  introducer  of*tbe  Satin  Under  Brim,  now  so  much  admired  for 
its  beauty  and  durability.  It  was  first  presented  to  the  public  about  five 
years  ago,  and  1ms  superseded  nearly  every  other  material  previously  in  use. 
The  firm  of  P.  HEBST  &  Co.  are  probably  more  extensively  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  Silk  Hats  than  any  others,  and  are  now  annually  producing 
many  thousands,  mostly  of  the  first  qualities,  and  specially  adapted  to  the 
fine  retail  trade.  They  also  make  Beaver  and  Cassimere  Hats,  of  all 
shades,  for  summer  and  winter  wear.  For  softening  the  brim  previous  to 
shaping,  this  firm  use  Billing's  Brim  Heater,  said  to  be  an  admirable  in- 
vention. By  taste  in  the  modeling  of  styles,  and  fidelity  in  workmanship, 
they  have  secured  a  pre-eminence  among  the  fashionable  trade,  creditable 
alike  to  themselves  and  to  Philadelphia  workmen. 


CAPS.  281 

the  piece,  depend  very  much  upon  the  state  and  prosperity  of  the 
country.  Body-makers  often  earn  only  six  dollars  a  week ;  but 
at  other  times  they  make  thirty.  Finishers  make  from  ten  to 
twenty ;  and  shapers  and  curlers,  from  fifteen  to  thirty  dollars  per 
week.  It  is  a  peculiarity  of  this  trade,  that  a  workman  wishing 
employment  in  an  establishment  never  applies  to  its  proprietor, 
but  to  the  foreman,  who  possesses  the  chief  power  to  employ  or 
to  discharge  men. 

STRAW  HATS  are  made  to  a  large  extent  to  supply  the  South- 
ern demand,  which  continues  throughout  the  year;  and  the  North- 
ern market  daring  the  spring  and  summer  seasons.  The  work  is 
done  in  work-rooms  provided  by  the  employers,  or  at  the  houses 
of  the  operatives;  whose  average  weekly  wages  are,  for  men, 
$7.50  ;  for  women,  $4.50.  The  Straw  Braid  is  chiefly  imported 
from  England,  Switzerland,  and  Tuscany.  Panama  Hats  are  ob- 
tained from  Panama,  Maracaibo,  and  other  parts  of  South  Amer- 
ica, while  coarse  Straw  Hats  are  brought  in  large  quantities  from 
Canada.  As  these  goods  are  generally  imported  ready-shaped, 
the  principal  preparation  for  the  market  is  trimming,  and  adapt- 
ing the  Hats  to  the  prevailing  fashion.  The  value  of  the  labor  per- 
formed on  those  imported,  and  the  production  of  Straw  Hats,  will 
amount  to  $350,000. 

2.     CAPS. 

The  manufacture  of  Caps  is  a  business  distinct  from  that  of 
Hats.  There  are  a  large  number  of  concerns  occupied  exclusively 
in  making  Caps  ;  those  of  Cloth  constituting  the  chief  part  of  the 
business,  though  Plush,  Silk,  Glazed,  and  other  Caps,  are  also 
made.  The  Caps  made  in  Philadelphia  are  distinguished  for  du- 
rability and  excellence  of  quality,  rather  than  for  fanciful  decora- 
tion, and  command  the  market  wherever  these  qualities  are  ap- 
preciated. Some  have  been  exported  to  Russia;  and  exports 
are  made  regularly  to  the  West  Indies,  South  America,  and  to 
California. 

The  Cap  manufacture  furnishes  employment  to  a  large  number 
of  females,  whose  wages  in  the  business  will  average  abont  $4 
per  week.  Sewing-machines  are  largely  employed ;  being,  in  fact, 
indispensable  in  consequence  of  the  expansion  of  the  trade.  The 
annual  production  is  about  $400,000. 


282 


PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


3.     FURS. 

FURS  are  prepared  by  at  least  twenty  establishments,  either  as  a 
distinct  business,  or  in  connection  with  Hats.  It  is  the  object  of 
the  Furrier,  by  dyeing  the  inferior  skins,  to  imitate  the  more  perfect 
kinds  ;  and  so  successful  are  many,  that  the  permanence  of  the  color 
of  the  dyed  Sable,  for  instance,  is  equally  durable  with  the  natural 
color.  Philadelphia  Furs  are  more  tastefully  made  than  those  of 
New  York ;  and  are  considered  equal  to  the  Boston  Furs,  which 
have  a  very  high  reputation.  A  difference  of  opinion,  wide  as  the 
Atlantic,  exists  as  to  the  comparative  value  of  Furs — the  Amer- 
icans preferring  those  of  Europe,  while  Europe  seems  to  prefer 
the  American  Furs. 

The  following  List  will  exhibit  the  demand  for  American  Furs 
in  Europe,  and  the  kinds  which  this  country  principally  contri- 
butes. 

Import  into  London  of  Furs  and  Skins  from  tho  United  States,  and 
Hudson's  Bay  Company  in  British  America,  for  one  year,  from 
Sept.  1856,  to  Sept.  1857. 


Totals. 

Names  of  Skins. 

Hudson's  Bay 
Company. 

United  States. 

1,164,461 
99,193 
15,941 
9,586 
1,543 
4,751 
65,086 
6,697 
11,142 
186,355 
123,601 
*55 
24,165 
10,796 
1,053 
769 
477,916 
9,872 
941 
7,949 
7,157 
62,672 

Musk  rat  

302,131 
90,604 
11,573 
6,561 
7,071 
8,143 
10,493 
4,940 
6,776 
170,956 
45,091 
18S 
23,341 
7,483 
942 
769 
1,894 
9,831 
916 
7,740 
184 

862,aso 

8,594 
4,363 
4,025 
477 
1,608 
44,588 
1,657 
6,366 
15,399 
78,510 
167 
824 
3,313 
116 

Otter  ;  . 

Fisher  

Silver  Fox  

Cross  Fox  

Red  Fox  

White  Fox  

Kltt  Fox  

Marten  

Mink  

Sea  Otter  

Lynx  : 

Black  Bear  

Brown  Bear  

Raccoon  

476,022 
41 
25 
209 
6,973 
62,672 

Wolf  

Wolverine  

Skunk  

Wild  Cat  

2,271,916 

Besides  these  Furs  of  American  origin,  the  principal  ones  are 
the  Russian  Sable,  everywhere  esteemed  as  the  most  beautiful, 
costly,  and  useful  Fur  the  Arctic  zone  produces ;  the  Baum  or 
Pine  Marten ;  the  Stone  Marten,  more  valuable  for  the  excellent 
qualities  of  its  skin  than  the  beauty  of  its  fur ;  Ermine,  a  Sibe- 
rian and  Norwegian  Fur,  the  whitest  known,  though  in  summer 


IRON    MANUFACTURES.  283 

the  animal  is  a  dingy  brown  ;  the  European  Fitch,  or  Polecat,  a 
Fur  remarkable  for  durability,  and  smell,  which  it  is  difficult  to 
counteract ;  the  Tartar  Sable,  of  which  the  tail  is  used  exclusively 
for  artists'  best  pencils ;  Nutria,  a  Fur  used  extensively  in  making 
hats,  and  having  considerable  resemblance  to  Beaver ;  Hamster, 
a  German  Fur ;  European  Gray  Hare,  and  the  Chinchilla,  a 
South  American  Rabbit. 

The  Skin  that  is  probably  the  most  extensively  used  is  that  of  the 
Siberian  Squirrel.  Of  these  little  animals,  not  much  larger  than 
our  common  red  squirrel,  15,000,000  are  every  year  captured  in 
Russia ;  the  color  varies  from  a  pearl  gray  to  a  dark  blue  gray. 

The  business  done  in  the  preparation  of  Furs,  in  this  city,  is 
estimated  by  a  principal  manufacturer  at  $350,000  ;  and  when  we 
remember  that  Capes  alone  are  sometimes  sold  at  $800  to  $1,000, 
the  amount  is  not  probably  overstated. 
Recapitulation : 

Silk  and  Soft  Hats, $800,000 

Straw  Hats, 350,000 

Caps, 400,000 

Furs, 350,000 

Total, $1,900,000 

An  increased  amount  of  capital  could  be  profitably  invested 
ir  Philadelphia,  in  all  branches  of  the  Hat  and  Cap  manufacture. 

XIX. 

Iron  and  its  Manufactures. 

It  is  probable  that  in  no  branch  of  the  general  manufactures 
of  Philadelphia,  is  her  superiority  so  widely  known  and  generally 
conceded  as  in  the  fabrication  of  Metals.  The  abundance  of 
Iron  produced  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  and  its  consequent 
cheapness,  have  naturally  concentrated  attention  upon  its  manu- 
factures, as  well  as  extended  its  uses  ;  while  the  fame  of  our 
Engineers  and  Machinists  attracts  from  abroad  a  large  and  con- 
stantly increasing  patronage.  It  is  not  necessary,  therefore,  for  us 
to  prove  what  is  already  admitted,  nor  to  exhibit  in  much  detail 
and  minuteness  what  is  neither  doubtful  nor  disputed,  but  the  sub- 
ject is  too  important  to  be  very  summarily  dismissed.  In  our  intro- 
ductory remarks  we  gave  some  statistics  of  the  Iron  production  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  stated,  that  of  782,958  tons  of  Iron  produced 


284  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

in  the  United  States  in  1856,  Pennsylvania  furnished  448,515 
tons.  We  also  showed  that  Philadelphia  is  situated  in  the  dis- 
trict which  is  entitled  to  be  called  the  centre  of  the  Iron  produc- 
tion in  the  United  States.  We  shall  therefore  limit  our  present 
remarks  to  a  brief  outline  of  the  processes  employed  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  Iron,  for  the  benefit  of  the  general  reader,  besides  exhib- 
iting, so  far  as  we  can  in  a  limited  space,  the  present  develop- 
ment of  its  manufactures  in  Philadelphia,  particularly  with  refer- 
ence to  the  manufacture  of  Hardware  and  Tools,  and  the  con- 
struction of  Machinery. 

Iron,  we  may  remark,  exists  naturally  as  an  ore — in  the  form 
of  a  rusty,  metallic  stone.  The  ores  are  found  both  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth  and  in  deep  underground  veins.  Within  the  limits 
of  Philadelphia  we  believe  there  are  neither  ore  beds  nor  opened 
mines ;  though  just  beyond  the  city  limits,  in  Montgomery  County, 
ore  is  dug  in  considerable  quantities ;  and  near  Phoenixville,  Ches- 
ter County,  there  is  an  extensive  Iron  mine,  which  is  supposed 
to  be  the  oldest  in  the  United  States.  It  was  opened  a  few  years 
before  the  Revolution,  and  is  yet  worked  with  much  success.  It 
is  150  feet  deep,  and  has  been  mined  over  sixteen  acres  of  surface. 
The  great  Rail  Mills  of  the  Phoenix  Iron  Company,  successors  to 
Reeves,  Buck  &  Co.,  obtain  a  considerable  portion  of  the  ore 
used  by  them  from  this  mine,  known  as  the  Warick  Mine. 

The  ore,  after  being  dug  from  or  raised  to  the  surface,  is  gene- 
rally broken  and  washed  in  water.  It  is  then  most  commonly 
roasted,  to  drive  out  the  sulphur  which  exists  in  many  ores.  The 
roasting  is  done  in  large  kilns  or  stacks,  heated  with  coal.  Many 
Iron-works,  however,  do  not  practice  roasting  their  ores.  The 
great  primary  process — the  first  step  in  the  long  course  of  the 
Iron  manufacture — is  "smelting."  This  is  the  expulsion  of  the 
water  and  oxygen  of  the  ore, — the  driving  off,  by  heat,  of  the 
natural  impurities  which  enclose  and  are  mixed  with  the  pure  iron. 
Tins  is  effected  by  means  of  a  "Blast  Furnace,"  using  as  fuel 
tither  Anthracite  coal,  coke  or  charcoal.  The  furnace  is  kept 
"  in  blast"  night  and  day,  until  some  vital  part  is  destroyed  by 
,he  heat.  The  hearth  is  tapped  at  regular  intervals,  and  the  iron 
drawn  off  and  run  into  "  pigs,"  moulded  in  the  sand-floor  in  front 
Df  the  furnace.  Fresh  materials  are  as  regularly  added  at  tho 


9  IRON   MANUFACTURES.  285 

top.  The  largest  class  of  furnaces  produce  from  120  to  160  tons 
weekly,  and  even  as  ranch  as  200  tons  have  been  produced,  in  a 
few  cases,  in  a  single  week.  The  product  of  the  Blast  Furnace, 
or  rather  the  Iron,  after  being  drawn  from  the  furnace  and  moulded, 
is  called  by  the  familiar  term — Pig  Iron. 

Having  passed  the  first  stage  of  its  manufacture — or  in  other 
words,  been  separated  from  the  clay,  sand,  and  other  impurities 
with  which  it  was  mixed  in  the  ore,  it  is  now  fusible  and  ready 
for  conversion  into  Wrought  or  into  Cast  Iron.  The  conversion 
into  Wrought  Iron  is  effected  simply  by  an  additional  heating, 
which  heat  is  prolonged  for  some  time  at  just  above  the  melting 
point,  and  during  which  the  iron  is  stirred  up  until  every  particle 
has  been  brought  under  the  cementing  action  of  the  heat. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  furnaces  in  use,  either  of  which  pro- 
duce Wrought  Iron  from  Pig.  In  either  case  the  iron  is  only 
melted,  and  stirred  stoutly  for  a  considerable  time  in  that  condition. 
The  forge  fire  is  employed  for  converting  pig  into  the  better 
kinds  of  Wrought  Iron.  A  large  open  forge  fire,  with  the  tweer 
in  one  corner,  is  used ;  a  trough  or  pit  is  hollowed  out  beneath 
the  tweer,  and  the  broken  pig  or  coal  brought  together  to  a  melt- 
ing heat.  The  action  of  the  blast  from  the  tweer  drives  the 
coarse  and  lighter  impurities  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  trough, 
leaving  the  melted  metal  to  settle  in  the  trough,  to  be  stirred  and 
turned  until  it  becomes  Wrought  Iron.  When  the  metal  acquires 
a  sufficient  consistency  to  admit  of  being  removed,  it  is  taken 
out,  and  the  impure  end  cut  off.  In  this  state  it  is  called  a 
"  Bloom"  or  "  Loop,"  and  it  is  ready  to  be  reheated  in  the  heat- 
iug  furnace,  and  to  be  brought  under  the  hammer. 

The  forge  fire  is  used  only  for  the  best  and  choicest  kinds  of 
iron,  as  it  is  too  expensive  in  coal  and  labor  for  making  the 
cheaper  kinds. 

The  Puddling  Furnace  is  the  most  common  of  all  means  of  re- 
ducing Pig  Iron  to  Wrought  Iron.  This  is  a  covered  furnace  like 
an  oven,  a  grate  being  placed  at  one  end,  and  a  pit  or  trough 
being  made  in  the  centre.  The  chimney  or  stack  is  at  the  oppo 
site  side  from  the  grate.  The  puddling  furnace  may  be  worked 
either  with  or  without  blast.  Coal  and  wood  are  used  alike  for 
fuel.  Mills  in  which  rail-road  iron  is  manufactured  generally  work 
23 


286  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

either  Anthracite  or  raw  Bituminous  coal,  with  blast,  for  puddling 
furnaces.  The  pig  iron  is  placed  in  the  puddling  furnace,  and 
melted  in  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  It  is  then  stirred 
with  a  suitable  hook  or  poker,  worked  by  a  "  puddler,"  having 
charge  of  the  furnace.  The  stirring  goes  on  until  every  particle 
of  the  puddle  has  been  thoroughly  exposed  to  the  fire,  and  until 
the  iron  adheres  in  a  spongy  mass.  It  is  then  divided,  while  in 
the  furnace,  into  four  or  five  balls  or  lumps.  These  are  taken 
successively  to  a  stout  hammer,  called  a  shingling  hammer,  or  else 
to  a  machine  called  a  squeezer,  either  of  which  acts  by  compres- 
sion, to  get  rid  of  the  coarse  cinder  contained  in  the  iron.  This 
runs  off  in  a  melted  condition,  leaving  the  bulk  malleable,  and 
possessing  the  distinctive  qualities  of  Wrought  Iron. 

It  is  then,  while  still  retaining  a  great  portion  of  its  original 
heat,  shaped,  by  rolling  or  hammering,  into  such  forms  as  are 
found  to  be  most  saleable  in  the  market. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  Forges  and  Rolling  Mills  are 
generally  separate  establishments — the  former  considerably  out- 
numbering the  latter.  In  1856  there  were  116  Forges  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  and  63  Rolling  Mills,  including  those  in  the  city  ; 
working  about  1T5  hammers,  and  having  about  500  forge  fires, 
with  the  heating  and  puddling  furnaces,  and  turning  out  an  ag- 
gregate product,  for  the  district  tributary  to  the  city,  of  about 
five  millions  of  dollars  annually. 

In  Philadelphia,  Forges  are  usually  combined  with  Rolling 
Mills,  there  being  but  one  exception,  viz.,  the  Fairhill  Forge,  of 
which  Patterson,  Morgan,  and  Caskey,  are  proprietors.  The 
Rolling  Mills  are  as  follows  : — 

Kensington  Iron  Works  and  Rolling  Mill,  James  Rowland  & 
Co.,  proprietors. 

Penn  Rolling  Mill,  Kensington,  Yerree  &  Mitchell,  proprietors. 

Treaty  Rolling  Mill,  Kensington,  Marshall,  Griffin  &  Co. 

Robins'  Rolling  Mill,  Kensington,  Stevens  Robins,  proprietor. 

Oxford  Rolling  Mill,  Twenty-third  Ward,  W.  &  H.  Rowland. 

Fairmount  Rolling  Mill,  Fairmount,  Charles  E.  Smith  &  Co. 

Fountain  Green  Rolling  Mill,  two  miles  above  Fairmount,  Strick- 
land Kneass,  proprietor. 


ROLLING   MILLS — FOUNDRIES.  287 

Pencoyd  Rolling  Mill,  below  Manayunk,  west  side  of  Schuyl 
kill,  A.  &  P.  Roberts,  proprietor. 

Flatrock  Rolling  Mill,  Manayunk,  A.  P.  Buckley  &  Son,  pro- 
prietors. 

Cheltenham  Rolling  Mill,  one  mile  below  Shoemakertown, 
Rowland  &  Hunt,  proprietors. 

In  these  establishments,  over  700  men  are  employed,  and  re- 
ceive annually  in  wages  about  $250,000.  The  aggregates  of 
production  were  recently  made  up  and  published  in  the  United 
Stales  Gazette*  as  follows : 

Tons.  Value. 

Spring  and  Cast  Steel,            ......         2,100  $283,500 

Bar,  Rod,  and  Band  Iron,     -        - ,      -        -  ,      -        -       13,310  880,500 

Boiler  and  other  Plate,          -       ~i.n ;  •  U^  • '  -  ' . -'  - ;  ' ; ;-  "     1,660  1 50,000 
Aggregate,  inclusive  of  other  items,  for  the  nine  Rolling  Mills  of  the 

city,      ..... 4j  tt^tri.'. 'lr.-: i^iti  1,455,000 

Distinctive  production  of  Rolling  Mills,  simply,    -        ...  1,206,500 

Total  for  Forges  and  Rolling  Mills  within  the  city,       ...  1,801,150 

The  products,  besides  those  above  enumerated,  include  for  the 
Pencoyd  Rolling  Mill,  Rolled  and  Hammered  Car  and  Locomotive 
Axles,  and  for  the  Fainnount  Iron  Works,  Charles  E.  Smith  & 
Co.,  proprietors,  Rail-road  Chair  Iron,  Marble  and  Stone  Saws, 
and  Bands  and  Bars  of  extra  sizes. 

Passing  from  the  manufacture  of  Wrought  Iron  and  Steel  to 
that  of  CASTINGS,  we  are  led  to  the  consideration  of  Foundries 
and  Cupola  Furnaces,  in  which  the  smelting  is  usually  accom- 
plished by  a  process  somewhat  similar  to  that  employed  in  the 
reduction  of  the  ore  in  the  blast  furnace.  The  metal  is  mingled 
with  coal  in  a  capacious  receptacle  lined  with  fire-brick,  and  sub- 
jected to  a  furious  blast  of  air  from  tweers  beneath.  The  height 

*  A  very  careful  statistical  investigation  of  the  Manufactures  of  Iron  was 
recently  made  by  the  present  indefatigable  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trade, 
and  published  in  the  United  States  Gazette — a  leading  commercial  journal 
of  this  city.  At  the  request  of  several  Iron  workers,  who  decline  to  furnish 
additional  individual  particulars,  we  shall,  in  many  instances,  adopt  the  re- 
sults as  published  in  that  journal.  It  will  also  be  observed  by  those  who  are 
familiar  with  the  volume  edited  by  myself,  and  published  two  years  ago, 
that  several  paragraphs  in  this  article,  descriptive  of  processes,  are  extracts 
from  that  work. 


288  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

of  the  cupola  furnace,  however,  rarely  exceeds  ten  or  twelve  feet, 
while  that  of  the  blast  furnace  approaches  forty  or  even  fifty,  and 
the  pressure  required  to  force  the  air  upward  through  the  sinking 
mass  of  materials  is  of  course  proportionally  less.  No  lime  or 
other  flux  is  employed  in  the  cupola  furnace ;  and  the  tempera- 
ture required  is  presumed  to  be  considerably  less  than  in  the 
blast  furnace,  the  heat  necessary  to  melt  iron  being  generally  as- 
sumed at  2300  to  2800  degrees  of  Fahrenheit's  scale,  or  some 
fifteen  times  hotter  than  boiling  water ;  while  the  temperature,  in 
the  hottest  portion  of  the  blast  furnace,  is  supposed  to  reach  5000 
degrees. 

When  drawn  from  the  cupola  furnace,  the  iron  is  poured  into 
moulds  of  tightly  compacted  earth,  the  varieties  employed  being 
clay  or  loam  and  fine  sand  carefully  mixed ;  the  "  moulding  sand," 
as  it  is  termed,  being  in  most  cases  enclosed  in  boxes  called  flasks 
If  the  desired  casting  is  a  column,  an  exact  model  or  pattern  is 
embedded,  one  half  in  each  of  two  flasks  of  sand.  The  sand 
having  sufficient  cohesion  to  retain  any  impression  given  it, 
the  pattern  is  then  withdrawn,  and  the  flasks  fitted  accurately 
together,  as  before,  leaving  a  cavity  to  give  just  the  required 
shape  to  the  metal,  which  is  afterward  poured  in.  If  the  casting 
is  to  be  made  hollow  in  any  part,  a  "core,"  or  solid  mass  of  sand, 
is  previously  baked  in  a  suitable  box,  of  the  shape  of  the  desired 
cavity.  This  core  of  sand,  being  placed  in  the  flask,  and  ad- 
justed suitably  to  the  mould,  leaves  a  cavity  of  its  own  shape  in 
the  casting.  For,  while  the  core  assists  in  confining  the  melted 
iron  to  the  desired  limits  of  size  and  form,  it  can  be  punctured 
and  removed,  after  the  casting  has  cooled,  with  the  same  ease  tha* 
the  mould  itself  may  be  broken  up,  and  the  sand  be  again  used 
for  another  mould. 

The  interior  surface  of  the  moulds  is  generally  dusted  or  rubbed 
with  finely-powdered  coal  or  other  material,  technically  termed 
"blackening,"  the  object  of  which  is  to  induce  a  smooth,  perfec* 
surface  on  the  casting.  The  astonishing  smoothness  and  delicacy 
of  the  small  statuettes,  known  as  "Berlin  Castings,"  it  is  be 
lieved,  are  the  result  of  some  secret  with  regard  to  blackening 
the  moulds. 

The  exterior  of  a  large  casting  is  invariably  harder  than  the 


CASTINGS.  289 

interior.  This  effect  is  probably  due  to  the  rapid  cooling  of  the 
parts  in  contact  with  the  sand,  as  the  hardness  is  found  to  depend 
very  much  upon  the  rapidity  of  cooling.  This  fact  has  induced 
many  experiments,  and  the  quite  general  adoptiou  of  several  dif- 
ferent processes,  according  to  the  quality  of  the  work  required. 

Iron  required  to  withstand  wear,  as  hammer  faces,  car-wheels, 
gudgeons,  &c.,  is  cast  in  close  contact  with  a  large  mass  of  cold 
iron  ;  and  iron  in  which  a  great  uniformity  of  strength  and  a 
general  softness  is  required,  as  small  portions  of  machinery  which 
are  to  be  drilled,  planed,  &c.,  is  cast  in  moulds  previously  heated 
to  a  tolerably  high  temperature.  The  former  are  called  "  chilled," 
and  the  second  "  dry-sand  castings,"  as  distinguished  from  the 
first  described,  or  "green-sand  castings."  Very  large  moulds  are 
built  up  with  brickwork  and  lined  with  clay  ;  and  the  products  are 
termed  "  loam  castings."  There  are  other  processes  for  rapid  cool- 
ing besides  that  above  mentioned,  one  of  which  consists  in  a  rapid 
circulation  of  water  through  pipes  in  the  vicinity  of  the  part  to 
be  chilled,  but  all  act  in  a  substantially  similar  manner,  and  with 
the  same  result. 

There  is  a  process  of  "  annealing"  metals,  by  heating,  and 
then  gradually  cooling  under  favorable  circumstances,  which  we 
will  refer  to  when  we  come  to  speak  of  Car  wheels.  A  species 
of  cast  iron,  produced  by  a  modification  of  this  process,  is  called 
"  Malleable  Iron,"  and  combines  in  a  high  degree  the  tenacity  of 
wrought  with  the  cheapness  of  cast-iron  shapes.  An  immense 
number  of  Locks,  and  other  articles  in  the  Hardware  trade,  is 
produced  by  this  process,  which  may  again  be  alluded  to  in  a 
separate  division  of  our  subject. 

During  the  last  few  years  the  demand  for  Castings  of  great  size 
has  severely  tested  the  skill  of  founders,  but  they  have  invariably 
responded  to  the  calls  by  producing  specimens  more  remarkable 
than  any  heretofore  attempted.  Cylinders,  in  which  the  tallest 
man  could  stand  upright,  have  repeatedly  been  cast  at  Foundries 
in  Philadelphia  ;  and  those  of  the  "Erricson,"  cast  at  I.  P.  Morris 
&  Co.'s  Foundry,  were  eleven  feet  five  inches  in  diameter.  The 
boring  was  executed  by  their  great  Yertical  Boring  Mill,  which 
was  in  use  in  this  city  before  introduced  into  New  York.  The 
cylinders  for  the  blowing  machinery  of  the  Lackawanna  Iron 
23* 


290  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Works,  at  Scranton,  Penna.,  cast  at  the  same  establishment,  are 
one  hundred  and  ten  inches  in  diameter,  and  ten  feet  stroke. 
But  the  heaviest  casting  ever  made  in  this  country,  and  probably 
in  the  world,  was  the  bed-plate  for  the  Baltic,  which  weighed 
130,148  pounds.  The  bed-plate  for  the  Arctic  weighed  forty-five 
tons,  and  that  for  the  Atlantic  thirty-seven  tons. 

The  products  of  Foundries,  disconnected  from  Machine-shops, 
consist  principally  of  Stoves,  Hollow-ware,  Iron  Building  work, 
and  Railings,  Safes,  &c.,  to  each  of  which  we  shall  briefly  refer. 

1.    STOVES     AND     HOLLOW-WARE. 

Five  large  Foundries  in  this  city  are  devoted  exclusively  to  the 
manufacture  of  Stoves ;  while  two  others  make  Stoves,  together 
with  miscellaneous  castings.  The  capital  invested  in  the  manu- 
facture is  about  $600,000,  and  the  annual  product  about  12,500 
tons,  worth  $1,250,000.  The  designs,  in  many  instances,  are  re- 
markable for  their  elegance,  and  the  establishments  are  not  sur- 
passed in  facilities  or  in  extent  by  any  others.  The  moulding- 
room  of  one  firm  is  three  hundred  and  sixty  feet  long  and  sixty 
feet  wide,  being  the  largest  moulding-room,  with  the  exception 
of  one  also  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  United  States.  The  Foundry 
of  another  firm  has  facilities  and  capacity  for  turning  out  30,000 
Stoves  per  annum.  The  cheapness  of  the  raw  material,  and  mild- 
ness of  the  winters,  enabling  the  manufacturers  to  continue  oper- 
ations without  cessation  throughout  the  year,  are  marked  advan- 
tages, and  the  fineness  of  the  castings  induces  professed  manufac- 
turers in  other  places  to  obtain  their  supplies  from  this  city.  The 
varieties  made  here  embrace  almost  every  description,  from  the 
old  Franklin  Stove,  and  the  Ten-plate  Wood  Stove,  down  to  the 
most  modern  styles  and  patterns,  including  Gas  Cooking  Stoves. 
In  originating  patterns  and  beautiful  styles,  the  Philadelphia  man- 
ufacturers and  Stove  pattern-makers  have  been  remarkably  suc- 
cessful ;  and  Stoves  from  this  city  have  been  shipped  to  Oregon^ 
California,  Australia,  and  Europe ;  while  in  our  own  markets  no 
others  can  compete  with  them. 

In  addition  to  the  establishments  devoted,  either  entirely  or  in 
part,  to  the  production  of  Stoves,  there  are  about  fifty  Stove- 


STOVES   AND   HOLLOW-WARE.  291 

makers  who  get  their  castings  from  founders,  and  finish  them  in 
their  own  shops.  As  some  Cooking  Stoves  have  sheet-iron  ovens, 
and  many  Parlor  and  Office  Stoves  are  chiefly  composed  of  Russia 
Sheet  Iron,  the  value  of  the  castings,  in  some  instances,  is  in- 
creased from  two  to  three  times.  About  nineteen  establishments, 
besides  the  above,  are  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  Hot-air 
Furnaces,  (or  Heaters,)  and  Cooking  Ranges.  They  usually  orig- 
inate or  purchase  the  patterns,  and  get  the  castings  executed  at 
the  regular  foundries.  The  varieties  made,  embrace  the  most 
complete,  convenient,  and  economical,  as  well  as  a  fac-simile  of 
the  article  so  long  used  in  New  York ;  and  the  Summer  Range 
or  Gas  Oven,  which  originated  here,  and  is  said  to  be  unknown 
elsewhere.  The  above  establishments  furnish  employment  to  at 
least  six  hundred  metal  workers,  and  consume  a  large  amount  of 
Russia,  English,  and  American  Sheet  Iron,  besides  Tin-plate, 
Fire-brick,  &c.,  &c.  Ornamental  Iron  Parlor  Grates,  for  which 
we  have  long  been  dependent  upon  New  York,  are  now  made 
here  of  great  elegance,  and  in  various  styles,  by  at  least  one  firm, 
who  has  recently  erected  ovens  for  baking  on  the  enamel. 

Three  of  the  Foundries  in  Philadelphia  are  occupied  almost 
exclusively  in  casting  Hollow-ware  and  Hardware  Goods,  which 
are  subsequently  enameled  or  tinned.  The  establishment  of  one 
of  these,  that  of  Messrs.  STUART  &  PETERSON,  is  probably  more 
extensive  than  any  other  of  the  kind  in  the  Union.  In  this  manu- 
facture great  care  is  necessary  in  the  selection  and  commixing  of 
the  different  brands  of  Iron,  in  order  to  obtain  castings  of  proper 
tenacity ;  and  after  such  are  obtained,  the  inside  surface  of  the 
ware  must  be  made  smooth  and  bright  to  protect  the  enamel. 
In  England  this  is  effected  by  turning  the  article  in  an  ordinary 
foot-lathe,  the  tool  being  guided  by  hand ;  but  the  inhalation  of 
particles  of  Iron  proved  most  destructive  to  the  lives  of  the  opera- 
tives. The  firm  above  alluded  to,  employ  for  this  purpose  self- 
acting  tools  or  lathes,  the  invention  of  their  master-machinist ; 
and  so  admirably  do  they  conform  to  the  irregularities  of  the  sur- 
face to  be  turned,  that  they  seem  to  be  endowed  with  almost  human 
intelligence. 

The  products  of  this  establishment  embrace  a  great  variety  of 


292  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Culinary  and  Household  articles — Pots,  Kettles,  Stew-Pans,  and 
other  articles,  from  the  smallest  to  the  largest,  as  Caldrons,  &c.* 
The  other  Hollow-ware  Foundries  in  the  branch,  are  those  of 
Messrs.  SAVERY  &  Co.,  and  LEIBRANDT,  MCDOWELL  &  Co.,  late 
Finley  &  Co.  The  former  has  been  established  about  twenty  years, 
and  has  produced  an  immense  number  of  Pots,  Pans,  Kettles,  &c., 
besides  Plows,  and  other  agricultural  implements  of  great  va- 
riety and  acknowledged  excellence.  This  firm  employ  about  one 
hundred  hands,  and  have  been  very  successful  in  producing  cast- 
ings remarkable  for  their  size,  as  Caldrons,  Sugar  Boilers,  &c. , 
capable  of  holding  hundreds  of  gallons.  The  establishment  of 
FINLEY  &  Co.  is  new,  and  has  recently  changed  owners.  In  its 
present  hands  it  will  no  doubt  soon  take  rank  with  the  others. 

2.     BUILDING    AND     ORNAMENTAL    IRON-WORK. 

The  use  of  Iron,  as  a  material  for  building  purposes,  must  be 
ranked  among  the  modern  applications  of  this  wonderful  metal. 
The  gentleman  who  erected  the  first  Iron  Building  in  the  United 
States  is,  we  believe,  still  prepared  to  receive  orders.  The 
oldest  Foundry  in  Philadelphia,  devoted  to  the  production  of 
Building  castings,  was  erected  in  1804  ;  and  its  proprietor,  Mr. 

*  We  extract  the  following  remarks  from  a  circular  of  Messrs.  STUART  & 
PETERSON,  who  are  certainly  entitled  to  very  great  credit  for  their  success- 
ful efforts  in  competing  with  foreign  manufacturers. 

"  We  now  anneal  and  turn  out  bright  the  inside  surface  of  all  the  ware  we 
enamel  or  tin,  the  annealing  making  it  less  liable  to  break  by  sudden  exposure 
to  heat,  and  turning  off  the  casting  surface  makes  it  retain  the  enamel  more 
perfectly ;  and  even  after  long  use,  if  the  enamel  should  come  off,  the  sur- 
face left  will  be  smooth  and  easily  kept  clean,  altogether  making  it  more 
serviceable  than  the  ware  of  those  manufacturers  who  do  not  prepare  their 
ware  thus.  We  wish  it  to  be  known  particularly  that  we  do  not  put  into  the 
mixture,  or  use  in  any  way  in  the  preparation  of  our  enamel,  any  lead  or  other 
metallic  oxides. 

"  We  desire  to  call  particular  attention  to  our  Tinned  (usually  called 
PATENT  METAL)  Ware.  We  prepare  it  for  tinning  in  the  same  way,  use  the 
same  quality  and  quantity  of  tin  on  each  piece,  use  the  same  quality  of 
iron,  and  finish  it  in  the  same  way,  making  it  in  all  respects  the  same  qual- 
ity as  English  Patent  Metal  Ware.  It  will  stand  ns  much  heat  and  use,  and 
many  of  our  customers  have  been  pleased  to  say,  is  more  bright  and  perfect 
than  nny  they  have  ever  seen  imported." 


BUILDING   AND   ORNAMENTAL   IRON-WORK.  293 

James  Yocoin,  was  one  of  the  first  in  this  country  to  make  Iron 
fronts  for  buildings.  The  business  now  employs  six  Foundries, 
almost  exclusively ;  and  as  the  advantages  of  Iron  for  this  pur- 
pose, combining  as  it  does  strength  and  durability,  with  cheapness 
and  facility  of  elaborate  ornamentation,  become  more  manifest, 
the  architectural  popularity  of  the  metal  will  extend. 

At  the  present  time,  the  firms  engaged  in  producing  Building 
Castings,  may  be  said  to  execute  work  for  the  whole  country. 
During  the  last  year,  Messrs.  H.  C.  ORAM  &  Co.,  made  and  put 
up  a  five-story  Iron  front  in  New  Orleans  ;  an  Iron  front  in  Sa- 
vannah ;  another  in  Nashville;  supplied  Ornamental  Castings  for 
the  Town  Hall  in  Wilmington,  N.  C. ;  a  Cast  Iron  frame  for  the 
New  Orleans  Gas  Company ;  besides  putting  up  a  large  number 
of  fronts  in  Philadelphia  and  its  vicinity  ;  casting  thirty-six  bow- 
string girders  from  sixteen  to  forty-three  feet  long,  six  hundred 
and  fourteen  columns  from  eight  to  twenty-two  feet,  and  the  mag- 
nificent Cast  Iron  dome  and  ceiling  of  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania. 
Another  firm,  Messrs.  HAQAR,  SANSON  &  FARRAND,  has  executed 
extensive  orders  for  Galveston,  Texas;  and  supplied  numerous 
places  in  the  South  and  West.  This  firm  make  a  Revolving  Iron 
Shutter,  which  is  extensively  used  and  highly  appreciated. 
Its  ability  alike  to  resist  the  assaults  of  fire  and  of  burglars, 
as  well  as  its  durability  and  convenience,  has  increased  its 
popularity  and  induced  an  extensive  demand.  These  Shutters 
are  known  as  Mettam's  Patent,  and  are  corrugated,  which  gives 
the  slats  increased  strength.  Mr.  Sanson  has  invented  a  machine 
which  cuts  and  corrugates  the  slats  at  the  same  time.  This 
cheapens  the  production,  and  enables  this  firm  to  supply  Shutters 
at  a  reduced  price. 

It  may  be  safely  said  that  the  firms  now  engaged  in  producing 
Building  work  have  a  most  complete  and  extensive  stock  of  pat- 
terns, and  every  facility  for  the  execution  of  orders,  however  dif- 
ficult may  be  the  design  or  configuration  desired. 

The  manufacture  of  Hoofing  is  made  a  distinct  branch  of  the 
Iron  Building  work,  in  this  city.  One  firm,  Messrs.  R.  S.  HAR- 
RIS &  Co.,  is  very  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
Corrugated  Iron  Roofing,  an  article  introduced  here  some  years 
ago  by  Asa  Whitney,  and  found  peculiarly  well  adapted  for  cov« 


294  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

ering  buildings  of  great  size  or  span,  as  Rail-road  Depots,  Foun- 
dries, Banks,  &c.,  while  also  well  adapted  for  smaller  buildings 
It  is  well-known  that  a  wooden  roof,  if  the  span  be  great,  say 
sixty  or  eighty  feet,  requires  a  very  heavy  frame ;  but  by  the  pro 
cess  adopted  by  this  firm,  a  roof  superior  in  durability  is  obtained 
with  less  weight.  The  material  used  is  generally  American  Gal- 
vanized Iron,  (unless  common  iron  painted,  of  which  the  first 
cost  is  less,  be  preferred ;)  and  is  supported  on  a  peculiar  Patent 
Independent  Truss,  supplied  by  this  firm.  The  corrugating  so 
strengthens  the  material,  that  Iron  No.  22,  possesses  all  requisite 
strength  for  the  largest  building.  The  works  of  this  firm,  situ- 
ated at  Prime  and  Eleventh  streets,  are  well  provided  with  ma- 
chinery for  making  every  part  of  a  roof  on  their  premises ;  but 
probably  the  most  remarkable  of  their  machines  is  one  for  punch- 
ing, by  which  the  sheets  of  a  roof  are  so  accurately  and  uni- 
formly punched,  that  the  proper  place  of  each  can  be  known,  and 
the  entire  roof  put  up  by  others  than  the  manufacturers.* 

Messrs.  Harris  &  Co.  also  make  Patent  Galvanized  Cornices, 
which  are  cheaper  and  lighter,  and  more  ornamental  than  stone, 
and  more  durable  than  wood.  Specimens  can  be  seen  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  in  Philadelphia,  and  at  Nassau  Hall,  Prince- 
ton, N.  J.  It  is  hoped  that  Hoofing  and  Cornices,  of  the  descrip- 
tion which  this  firm  manufacture,  will  come  into  more  extensive 
use  than  heretofore  ;  for,  being  entirely  fire-proof,  they  are  a  pro- 
tection to  a  city. 

Ornamental  Iron  Work,  and  especially  the  manufacture  of 
Iron  Sailings,  constitute  to  some  extent  a  distinct  business, 
though  generally  associated  with  Architectural  Iron-work  in  some 
of  its  forms.  The  Iron  Railings  made  in  this  city  are  of  a  very 
superior  character,  both  as  regards  the  construction  and  decora- 
tive arrangement  of  the  parts ;  no  expense  being  spared  by  the 

•  Among  the  numerous  buildings  covered  with  Corrugated  Iron  Roofing,  we 
might  mention  the  United  States  Mint,  the  Masonic  Hall,  John  Grigg's  Fire- 
proof building,  the  Depot  of  the  West  Philadelphia  Passenger  Railway,  the 
Phoenixville  Iron  Works,  the  Gas  Works  in  Cincinnati,  the  Custom  House  in 
Mobile,  the  Charlotte  Branch  Mint,  the  very  extensive  buildings  of  the  Geor- 
gia Central  Rail-road  Company  at  Savannah,  the  Gas  Works  at  Richmond, 
and  at  Winchester,  Va.,  and  many  others  in  the  chief  cities  of  the  South 
and  West ;  besides  several  in  Havana,  Cuba. 


RAILINGS    AND    ORNAMENTAL    IRON-WORK.  295 

leading  manufacturers  to  obtain  beautiful  and  tasteful  designs. 
Most  of  the  Cemeteries  and  Public  Squares  throughout  the  whole 
country  are  adorned  by  work  executed  iu  Philadelphia ;  and  every 
city,  probably  every  town  in  the  Union,  contains  some  specimen 
of  our  manufacturers'  skill  and  taste.  The  English  Commission- 
ers, in  their  report  on  the  Industry  of  the  United  States,  refer,  in 
terms  of  high  commendation,  to  the  Ornamental  Cast  Iron-work 
of  Philadelphia,  as  will  be  perceived  from  the  following  extract : 

"  Ornamental  Castings  for  architectural  purposes,  such  as  balus- 
trades, railings,  etc.,  are  produced  in  large  quantities  in  New 
York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  and  other  large  cities,  and  these  are 
usually  copies  or  adaptations  of  similar  work  made  in  this  country. 

"  At  Philadelphia,  the  garden  decorations,  ornamental  cast 
iron-work  for  cemeteries,  monuments,  etc.,  manufactured  at  the 
foundry  of  Mr.  ROBERT  WOOD,  are  good  examples  of  their  class. 
One  or  two  verandahs  and  garden  fountains  were  superior  in 
design,  being  well  adapted  both  to  the  material  and  the  purpose 
for  which  they  were  intended.  Mr.  Wood  is  engaged  in  the 
production  of  a  cast-iron  statue  of  Henry  Clay,  fifteen  feet  high, 
to  be  placed  upon  a  Doric  column  of  the  same  material,  about  to 
be  erected  by  the  citizens  of  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  County,  Penn- 
sylvania."* 

In  the  manufacture  of  Railings,  though  Cast  Iron  is  princi- 
pally employed,  Wrought  Iron  is  used  in  considerable  quantities. 
The  latter  is  considered  superior  to  Cast  Iron  in  the  power  of 
resisting  strains  or  concussions ;  and  since  the  discovery  of  the 
process  of  weaving  bars  of  any  size,  recently  introduced  into 
Philadelphia,  it  is  possible  to  attain  equal  strength  in  the  con- 
struction of  Window  Guards,  Gratings,  Railings,  &c.,  with  much 
less  weight  of  material  than  formerly. 

Within  the  last  few  years  the  applications  of  Cast  Iron-work 
have  been  greatly  extended.  Iron  Bedsteads,  of  all  sizes,  are 
made  largely  by  at  least  two  firms,  Messrs.  WALKER  &  SONS,  and 
MACFERRAN  &  YOUNG.  The  Ornamental  Iron  Bedstead  of  Mr. 

*  For  a  full  description  of  this  interesting  establishment,  (now  WOOD  & 
PEROT'S,)  see  APPENDIX. 


296  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Macferran  is  highly  recommended  by  the  Franklin  Institute,  as 
an  article  combining  neatness,  and  light  weight,  with  sufficient 
strengh.  His  manufactures  include  a  great  variety  of  Ornamental 
Iron  Castings,  Hat  Racks,  Umbrella  Stands,  Water  Coolers, 
Washstands,  Sinks,  Fountains,  Settees,  Dogs,  Lions,  Tables, 
Chairs,  Towel  Racks,  with  a  great  variety  of  Brackets,  Hitching 
Posts,  Spout  Castings,  &c.,  &c. 

This  gentleman  is  noted  for  his  taste  in  designs,  and  ingenuity 
in  originating  desirable  patterns.  He  also  manufactures  the  cele- 
brated Champion  Hot-air  Furnace,  and  Ranges,  Gas  Ovens,  &c. 

3.     SAFES. 

The  manufacturers  of  these  articles,  almost  indispensable  among 
a  mercantile  people,  have  so  effectually  "cried  aloud  and  spared 
not,"  that  the  public  are  probably  more  familiar  with  their  rela- 
tive merits  than  we  are.  The  metal  portion  of  the  Safes  consists 
of  stout  and  tough  Wrought  Bar  and  Plate  Iron ;  and  the  space 
between  the  outer  and  inner  surfaces  is  filled  with  a  chemical 
preparation,  which  is  a  good  non-conductor  of  heat.  The  inte- 
rior is  rendered  wholly  impervious  to  damp  ;  and  books,  papers, 
and  jewelry,  may  be  preserved  in  them  any  length  of  time  with- 
out blemish  from  mould  or  mildew.  Rival  makers  have  mani- 
fested a  very  determined  disposition  to  burn  up  each  other's  Safes  ; 
and  if  none  have  succeeded  in  doing  this,  we  must  infer  that  all 
are  equally  proof  against  fire.  The  annual  production  in  this 
city  is  about  $180,000.  (See  APPENDIX.) 

The  principal  restriction  hitherto  to  the  more  extended  use  of 
Iron  has  been  its  tendency  to  oxdyation  or  rust,  but  happily  me- 
chanical ingenuity  has  overcome  this  difficulty.  Iron  is  now 
coated  with  another  metal,  forming  a  combination  impervious  to 
atmospherical  influences,  and  known  as  GALVANIZED  IRON. 

The  process  of  effecting  this  great  change  in  this  useful  material, 
and  forming  Galvanized  Sheet  Iron,  is  described  to  us  by  a  leading 
firm  in  the  business,  as  follows  :  The  Iron  is  first  rolled  into  sheets 
as  ordinary  Sheet  Iron  ;  but  for  the  purpose  of  galvanizing,  a  selec- 
tion is  necessary,  for  experience  has  proved  that  Iron,  though  of 
good  quality,  will  not  in  all  cases  combine  with  the  zinc  which  is 
used  in  coating.  The  sheets  selected  are  rolled  very  smooth  and 
well  trimmed  to  the  size  required,  and  cleansed  from  all  irapuri- 


GALVANIZED   IRON.  297 

ties  by  a  weak  acid.  The  effects  of  the  acid  are  in  turn  removed 
by  immersion  in  a  tank  of  clear  water,  and  then  the  sheets  are 
dried  in  an  oven.  The  iron  thus  prepared  is  placed  in  contact 
with  the  zinc,  and  the  two  metals  being  brought  to  the  same 
temperature  combine  and  fuse,  and  form  a  material  impervious 
to  rust,  and  requiring  neither  paint  nor  any  preservative  agent. 
The  proper  regulation  of  the  temperature  of  the  zinc  and  the 
iron  is  a  point  of  great  nicety,  requiring  in  the  manufacturer 
much  previous  experience. 

The  firm  to  whom  this  material  is  indebted  for  much  of  its  present 
popularity  and  even  intrinsic  value,  and  who,  we  understand,  were 
the  first  to  introduce  the  manufacture  of  Galvanized  Sheet  Iron 
into  the  United  States,  are  Messrs.  McCuLLOUGH  &  Co.,  of  Phila- 
delphia. Their  works,  it  is  believed,  are  the  most  extensive  of  the 
kind  in  the  Union.  Their  mills  for  rolling  Sheet  Iron,  of  which 
they  own  three,  are  located  in  Cecil  County,  Maryland — two  at 
North  East,  and  one  at  Rowlandsville.  They  are  driven  by  water- 
power — the  former  by  the  feeders  of  the  North  East  Creek,  and 
the  latter  by  the  waters  of  the  Octorara ;  and  are  capable  of  pro- 
ducing from  1,500  to  2,000  tons  of  Sheet  and  Flue  Iron  annually. 
The  firm  employ  at  their  various  works  from  200  to  250  men 
use  2,000  to  2,500  tons  of  Pig  Iron  and  Blooms,  and  consume 
about  1,500  tons  of  Anthracite,  and  some  2,000  tons  Bituminous 
coals.  The  works  for  Galvanizing  are  located  in  the  city,  at  the 
corner  of  Eleventh  and  Prime  streets,  and  all  the  Iron  made  is 
brought  from  the  mills,  by  way  of  the  Philadelphia,  Wilmington 
and  Baltimore  Rail-road  and  the  River,  and  delivered  at  the 
warehouse  in  connection  with  these  works. 

The  Galvanized  Iron  of  this  firm  has  been  tested  by  the  emi- 
nent chemist  of  the  Mint,  Professor  Booth,  who  pronounced  it 
equal  to  that  of  English  manufacture ;  and  in  certain  tests  by 
sulphuric  and  other  acids,  it  proved  superior.  Its  applications 
are  necessarily  almost  as  numerous  as  Iron  itself,  being  available 
wherever  exposed  to  corrosive  influences,  and  specially  adapted 
for  Roofing,  Iron-work  for  ships,  Water  and  Gas  Tubing,  Win 
dow  Shutters,  Telegraph  Wire,  &c. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  city  there  is  another  establishment 
for  Galvanizing  Sheet  Iron,  Wire,  &c.,  MARSHALL,  GRIFFIN  &  Co 
24 


298 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


proprietors.  At  these  works  sixty  men  are  employed,  and  twelve 
miles  of  Telegraphic  Wire  are  galvanized  in  a  day,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $10  per  mile. 

We  have  thus  briefly  traced  and  narrated  the  processes  em- 
ployed in  the  production  of  the  various  kinds  of  Iron — Pig, 
Wrought,  and  Cast,  from  the  period  of  its  extraction  from  the 
earth  in  the  form  of  Ore,  down  to  its  introduction  to  the  market. 
A  more  comprehensive  and  connected  view  of  the  whole,  however, 
may  be  obtained  from  an  examination  of  the  subjoined  table, 

Or  ANALYTICAL  VIEW  OF  THE  MANUFACTURE  AND  USE  OF  IRON 


bd 
feja|f 


Natural 
Iron  Minet 

and 

Iron  Beds 
contain 


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M£ 


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S-S 
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o  2, 
,_,  3' 

3  o 


!f-B  -"  — 

«••  M  -H  £• 

a  Q  ~ 


srl 


These  undergo  in  the 
Blast  Furnace 


Digging  or  Mining, 
Roasting,* 

SMELTING. 


White   Iron,  Mottled  Iron,  Bright  Iron,  Gray  Iron. 


and  assume  the 

form  of 

Pig    Iron, 

rated 


They  next  in 
Iron  Work* 

and 
Foundriet 

undergo 


And  are  put 

in  use 


b^                   ^                   h^ 

*: 

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*4 

V  ta°         «Bto°          *0  )->  ° 

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3  < 

<3 

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^03 

£>  0    0 

0    £ 

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^  <s              ^  o               ^  o 

~*  •    a 

o°  •    a.      r 

3-<< 

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o  o  ^        o  o  *~^         o  o  *^ 
Bim  <!t           S>^^            il^*' 

(j  «     ^ 

"*  »M<5 

P- 

—  >< 

.S-O            Pc»0             PS-O 

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CPjj             B"_a             P"^p 

**  ^    1- 

**  ^    M 

CO  g 

S?1           §?            1  P5 

'  S-l 

P  S  3 
5? 

0  «<" 
1  >. 

il 

Refining* 

Melting, 

PUDDLING, 

Squeezing  or  Hammering, 

MOULDING, 

Rolling. 

Cleaning. 

And  when 
torn  out  become 


Wrought  Scrap  Iron.  Cast  Scrap  Iron. 

*  Those  processes  marked  by  a  Star  are  sometimes  omitted. 


COTTON    AND   WOOLEN   MACHINERY.  299 

XX. 

Iron  and  its  Manufactures  Continued.    Machinery. 

The  manufacturers  of  Machinery,  considered  with  reference  to 
the  nature  of  their  occupation,  are  divided  into  two  classes,  who 
may  be  styled  special  and  general  Machinists — the  former  being 
uhose  who  confine  their  operations  to  a  special  and  particular 
class  of  Machines  and  Tools,  and  the  latter  being  those  who  have 
the  disposition  and  facilities  to  execute  orders  for  almost  all  kinds 
of  Machinery,  heavy  and  light.  The  Machine-makers  of  Phila- 
delphia are,  in  this  view,  principally  general  Machinists ;  but  each 
of  the  following  classes — Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery;  Railway 
Machinery;  Machinists'  Tools;  Paper-makers1,  Printers',  and 
Bookbinders'  Machines;  Fire  Engines;  Gas  and  Water  Apparatus, 
and  probably  some  others, — has  extensive  establishments  devoted 
expressly  to  its  production.  We  shall  briefly  advert  to  the  most 
important  of  these  special  classes,  commencing  with 

1.    COTTON    AND    WOOLEN    MACHINERY. 

It  is  stated,  in  apparently  authentic  records,  that  the  manufac- 
ture of  some  parts  of  the  machinery  necessary  in  the  production 
of  Textile  fabrics,  was  carried  on  in  Philadelphia  in  the  time  of 
the  Revolution.  As  early  as  1778,  we  learn  from  Scott's  Gazet- 
teer of  the  United  States,  published  in  1805,  that  the  eminent 
Philadelphia  machinist,  OLIVER  EVANS,  manufactured 

"Wire  from  American  Bar-iron,  which  he  made  of  excellent  quality, 
on  the  most  improved  plan  carried  on  iu  this  country  ;  also  wrought  it 
into  wire  for  cards,  in  the  way  described  by  those  who  had  seen  them 
made  in  Europe.  But  thinking  the  process  too  tedious,  he  invented  a 
machine  by  which  he  could  work  the  wire  into  card  teeth,  at  the  rate 
of  nearly  three  thousand  per  minute,  by  the  simple  motion  of  turning  a 
winch,  or  wrench,  by  hand  ;  also,  a  machine  for  punching  the  holes  in 
the  leather  for  the  teeth,  by  which  he  could  prick  by  the  motion  of  his 
hand  one  hundred  and  fifty  pair  of  cards  per  day.  He  also  planned  a 
wire  mill,  with  machinery  to  make  the  wire  into  card  teeth  as  fast  as 
drawn.  This  he  has  often  declared  was  one  of  the  greatest  produc- 
tions of  his  mind.  He  applied  to  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania  for 
aid  to  carry  it  into  effect  ;  but  this  was  not  granted,  and  this  was  lost. 
When  peace  was  established  he  declined  this  business,  and  in  the  year 


300  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

1783  commenced  the  building  of  a  merchant  flour  mill,  which  led  him 
to  the  study  of  the  improvement  of  the  art  of  manufacturing  flonr ; 
and  invented  the  machines  which  he  has  denominated  the  Elevator,  the 
Hopper-boy,  the  Conveyor,  and  Drill,  by  means  of  which,  when  properly 
applied,  the  greatest  part  of  the  manufacture  and  labor  which  were 
oefore  necessary  is  now  saved." 

But  the  first  regular  manufactory  of  Cotton  Machinery  was 
established  at  Holmesburg,  in  1810,  by  ALFKED  JENKS,  who  had 
oeen  a  pupil  and  colaborer  with  the  celebrated  Samuel  Slater, 
and  who  brought  with  him  from  New  England  drawings  of  every 
variety  of  Cotton  Machinery,  as  far  as  it  had  then  advanced  in 
the  line  of  improvement.  He  supplied  the  first  mill  started  in 
this  portion  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  with  the  requisite  ma- 
chinery ;  and  subsequently  the  Keating  Mill,  at  Manayunk,  now 
owned  by  J.  G-.  Kempton.  In  1816  he  built  for  Joseph  Ripka, 
a  number  of  Looms  for  weaving  Cottonades.  A  record  now 
before  us  states : 

"  Under  the  universal  impetus  given  to  home  manufactures 
during  the  last  war,  Mr.  Jenks  greatly  extended  his  business 
operations,  and  in  1819  or  1820  removed  to  his  present  desirable 
location  in  Bridesburg,  the  increased  growth  of  which  is  owing  in 
no  small  degree  to  the  personal  efforts  and  enterprise  of  himself  and 
the  importance  of  his  establishment.  Here,  where  he  possessed 
the  necessary  facilities  for  shipping  to  his  more  distant  patrons, 
he  conveyed  his  old  frame  building  from  Holmesburg  on  rollers, 
which  yet  stands  amid  the  more  substantial  and  excellent  struc- 
tures beside  it.  This,  however,  was  found  too  small  for  his  in- 
creased business,  and  was  extended  by  the  erection  of  a  stone 
building  thirty  feet  long,  now  forming  the  north  end  of  the  pres- 
ent main  building,  which  is  four  hundred  feet  in  length.  When 
the  demand  first  arose  for  Woolen  Machinery  in  Pennsylvania, 
Mr.  Jenks  answered  it,  and  at  once  commenced  its  manufacture, 
and  furnished  the  first  Woolen  Mill  erected  in  the  State,  by  Bethel 
Moore,  at  Conshohocken,  with  all  the  machinery  necessary  for  this 
manufacture. 

"In  1830,  Mr.  Jenks,  impressed  with  the  idea  that  the  labor  of 
manipulation  was  insufficient  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  popula- 
tion, or  to  meet  the  commercial  demands,  invented  a  Power-loom 


COTTON   AND   WOOLEN    MACHINERY.  301 

for  Weaving  Checks,  and  introduced  it  into  the  Kempton  Mill  at 
Manayunk,  where  its  success  produced  such  excitement  among 
hand-weavers,  and  others  opposed  to  labor-saving  machinery,  as 
to  cause  a  large  number  of  them  to  go  to  the  mill,  with  the 
avowed  purpose  of  destroying  it,  from  doing  which  they  were 
only  prevented  by  the  presence  of  an  armed  force.  This,  and 
other  improved  machinery  made  by  Mr.  Jenks,  soon  acquired  an 
extended  reputation,  and  induced  the  erection  of  larger  buildings 
and  the  introduction  of  increased  facilities.  The  numerous  valu- 
able improvements  made  by  Mr.  Jenks,  from  1819,  when  he  ob- 
tained his  first  patent,  to  the  present  time,  and  those  of  his  equally 
ingenious  and  skillful  son,  are  embraced  in  such  a  vast  number  of 
patents,  and  are  so  various  in  their  nature  and  construction,  as  to 
prevent  us  from  even  enumerating  their  titles  and  objects  in  this 
limited  notice.  They  are,  however,  well-known  to  manufac- 
turers." 

The  present  works  of  Messrs.  ALFRED  JENKS  &  SON  are  un- 
questionably among  the  most  extensive  and  important  for  the 
manufacture  of  Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery  in  the  Union. 
The  present  sole  manager,  BARTON  H.  JENKS,  Esq.,  has  been 
untiring  in  his  efforts  to  improve  and  perfect  the  general  system 
of  manufacturing;  and  so  successful  in  this,  and  in  originating 
improvements  with  reference  to  special  articles,  that,  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  we  do  not  believe  there  are  any  other  works  in  the 
entire  Union  that  can  be  compared  with  these  for  the  purposes  for 
which  they  are  designed.  The  development  which  we  have  shown 
has  been  attained  in  the  manufacture  of  Textile  fabrics  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  its  vicinity,  is  no  doubt  in  part  due  to  the  excellence 
of  the  machinery  supplied  from  this  establishment;  but  its  ben- 
efits are  by  no  means  local,  for  its  products  are  as  regularly 
shipped  to  New  England  as  to  Manayunk,  and  to  the  South  as  to 
Gloucester.  We,  however,  shall  reserve  a  description  of  these 
Works  for  the  APPENDIX. 

Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery  is  made  at  several  other 
establishments  in  Philadelphia;  but  in  these  the  scope  of  opera- 
tions is  either  restricted  to  certain  particular  Machines,  or  is  so 
extended  as  to  embrace  general  Machinery.  J.  &  T.  WOOD, 
proprietors  of  the  Ftxirmount  Machine  Works,  for  instance,  do 
24* 


302  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

an  extensive  business  in  the  construction  of  LOOMS,  for  which 
they  are  provided  with  all  the  requisite  facilities ;  and  in  1856> 
they  turned  out  four  hundred  and  eighty  Power  Looms,  or  forty 
per  month.  Their  Looms,  we  believe,  are  so  constructed  as  to  be 
adapted  for  use  either  in  Cotton  or  Woolen  Factories.  But  the 
business  of  this  firm  takes  a  much  more  comprehensive  range, 
embracing  the  construction  of  Embossed  Calenders,  Lard  Oil 
Presses,  of  which  they  can  make  twenty  per  month,  and  all  kinds 
of  Shafting,  Pulleys,  Hangers,  Couplings,  &c.,  and  machine 
work  in  general.  They  employ  regularly  about  seventy  hands. 
The  Messrs.  Wood  have  an  excellent  reputation  for  doing  thor- 
oughly and  well  whatever  they  undertake. 

Messrs.  HINDLE  &  SONS,  in  West  Philadelphia,  employ  about 
fifty  hands,  principally  in  the  manufacture  of  Woolen  Machinery  ; 
and  Messrs.  ECCLES  &  SON  make  Looms,  and  a  variety  of  Machi- 
nery for  Cotton  Factories. 

Hepworth's  picking  stop-motion  for  Drop-box  Power  Looms 
is  made  by  J.  J.  Hepworth  ;  and  Lead  Wire  for  Looms  is  made 
at  the  Lead  Pipe  Works  of  Tathem  &  Brothers,  which  are  be- 
lieved to  be  the  most  extensive  of  the  kind  in  the  world. 

Card  Clothing  is  made  very  extensively  at  one  establishment, 
where  fifty-three  of  those  wonderful  and  ingenious  machines,  which 
Webster  is  reported  to  have  said  seemed  to  be  endowed  with  human 
intelligence,  are  in  constant  operation.  The  original  Machine 
was  patented  in  1810,  by  Thomas  Whittemore,  though  the  real  in- 
ventor was  Elizur  Smith,  of  Walpole,  Mass.  Various  improve- 
menta  have  been  made  from  time  to  time  ;  and  now  so  perfect 
and  automatic  are  its  operations,  that  only  three  men  are  re- 
quired to  tend  fifty-three  machines.  It  seizes  the  wire  in  its  iron 
fingers,  bends  it,  punches  holes  for  it  in  the  leather,  then  inserts 
it ;  and  if  the  slightest  derangement  take  place,  or  the  least  im- 
perfection is  manifested  in  the  manufactured  product,  it  stops  and 
waits  until  the  difficulty  is  remedied. 

The  proprietors  of  this  establishment,  Messrs.  JAMES  SMITH 
&  Co.,  are  experimenting  with  reference  to  the  substitution  of 
Cloth  for  Leather  in  their  manufacture.  The  average  price  of 
the  Card  Clothing  made  in  Philadelphia,  is  $1  per  square  foot, 
and  the  quality  superior  to  that  made  elsewhere  in  the  country. 


COTTON   AND   WOOLEN   MACHINERY.  303 

One  firm,  Messrs.  W.  P.  UHLINGER  &  Co.,  are  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  Ribbon  Looms,  Jacquard  Machines, 
and  Rotary  Knitting  Machines.  This  excellent  establishment 
employs  from  forty  to  seventy  mechanics,  and  does  an  annual 
business  of  over  $50,000.  The  most  ingenious  and  compli- 
cated Machinery  is  made  here — Ribbon  Looms,  for  instance, 
being  self-acting,  and  combined  with  the  Jacquard  Machine,  to  be 
propelled  by  power  or  hand.  These  are  supplied  largely  to 
New  York,  Connecticut,  and  Massachusetts — the  extensive  Man- 
ufactory of  Ribbons  and  Trimmings,  at  West  Newton,  in  the 
last-named  State,  being  wholly  supplied  with  Machines  by  this 
firm. 

Hotary  Knitting  Machines  for  Stockings,  Jackets,  Shirts,  &c., 
are  made  at  this  establishment.  For  this  Machine,  Mr.  Uh- 
linger  received  a  first-class  premium  from  the  Franklin  Insti- 
tute ;  and  its  practical  value  is  shown  in  the  patronage  bestowed 
upon  it,  both  by  power  and  by  hand-loom  weavers. 

Mr.  Uhlinger's  establishment  was  founded  in  1850;  and  though 
its  transition  from  insignificance  to  importance  has  been  rapid,  its 
present  equipments,  perfection  in  machinery,'  and  quality  of  its 
manufactures,  entitle  it  to  rank  among  the  important  ones  of  Phil- 
adelphia. The  demand  for  Sewing  Machines  has  induced  the  pro- 
prietor to  provide  himself  with  superior  facilities  for  their  manu- 
facture ;  and  hereafter  these  important  Machines,  so  largely  sold 
in  this  market,  will  also  be  extensively  made  here. 

The  common  Knitting  Frames  are  made  by  two  persons  in 
Germantown  ;  and  Looms,  &c.,  by  several  manufacturers  in  a 
small  way  throughout  the  city. 

Shuttles  are  an  exclusive  article  of  manufacture  in  at  least  two 
concerns — those  of  Mr.  H.  SERGESON,  and  E.  JACKSON,  each  of 
whom  make  annually  20,000  Shuttles  of  all  sizes,  from  the  small 
ones  for  Silk  or  Lace,  and  Hand-looms,  to  the  largest  sized  ones, 
with  wheels,  used  in  weaving  Broad-cloth.  The  prices  range 
from  $4.50  to  $22  per  dozen.  Philadelphia  has  peculiar  advan- 
tages for  the  production  of  an  excellent  Shuttle,  at  a  moderate 
cost,  from  the  fact  that  a  better  quality  of  wood,  used  for 
this  purpose,  is  here  attainable  than  elsewhere.  This  is  a  fine 
quality  of  Dog-wood,  which  grows  upon  the  Isthmus,  between 


304  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

the  Chesapeake  and  Delaware  Bays,  and  for  this  manufacture  it 
is  nearly  equal  to  the  best  Turkey  Box-wood.  The  varieties  grown 
further  South,  or  more  inland,  are  softer,  and  of  inferior  quality, 
the  sea  air  apparently  conducing  to  the  perfection  of  the  wood. 

Small  Bone  and  Ivory  Shuttles,  for  ladies'  use,  are  also  made; 
and  both  common  and  fancy  Shuttles  are  sent  from  Philadelphia 
to  all  parts  of  the  Union. 

Seeds  and  Neddies  constitute  a  distinct  business  for  several 
parties.  One  firm  has  employed  as  many  as  sixty  hands ;  and  the 
annual  product  has  attained  a  value  of  $150,000. 

2.     RAILWAY    MACHINERY. 

The  activity  of  the  American  people  in  constructing  Railways, 
already  extending,  as  they  do,  to  more  than  24,000  miles,  or  a  dis- 
tance as  great  as  the  circumference  of  the  globe,  has  necessarily 
called  into  existence  immense  establishments,  exclusively  devoted  to 
supplying  a  demand  for  Railway  equipments.  Four  years  ago, 
it  was  estimated  that  the  capital  then  invested  in  Locomotive 
building  was  $3,000,000,  employing  over  6,000  hands,  who  re- 
ceived $2,700,000  yearly  for  labor,  and  turned  out  $8,000,000  in 
value  of  manufactured  products. 

Twenty  years  ago,  it  is  believed,  there  were  not  six  Locomotive 
establishments  in  the  Union.  A  story  is  told  of  a  gentleman 
who,  about  that  time,  received  an  offer  from  a  capitalist  of  New 
York  to  furnish  him  the  necessary  capital  to  engage  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Locomotives,  if  he  thought  it  would  pay,  and,  as  such 
offers  were  rare,  was  quite  desirous  to  accept  of  it ;  but,  after 
visiting  the  principal  shops,  reported  to  the  capitalist  that  the 
business  would  not  pay,  "for  with  three  hundred  men  and  Bald- 
win's shop,  in  Philadelphia,  he  could  build  all  the  Locomotives 
the  country  would  need  for  twenty  years."  This  gentleman  is 
probably  now  a  wiser,  as  well  as  an  older  man  ;  for,  by  examining 
the  late  report  of  the  Pennsylvania  Central  Hail-road,  he  could 
learn  that  this  Company  alone  has  in  use  2,16  Locomotives. 

The  concentration  of  Rail-roads,  and  the  advantages  for  eco- 
nomical construction,  and  especially  the  experience  and  eminence 
of  her  Engineers,  have  made  Philadelphia  a  great  centre  for  the 
construction  of  Railway  Machinery.  The  establishments  which 


LOCOMOTIVE   WORKS.  305 

are  principally  occupied  in  this  pursuit,  are  among  the  most  ex- 
tensive, important,  and  interesting  in  the  city ;  and  this  remark 
applies  not  merely  to  those  which  are  employed  in  producing 
complete  Machinery,  but  also  those  occupied  in  making  parts,  as 
Wheels,  Axles,  Tubes,  Turn-Tables,  &c.  We  shall  advert  to  the 
more  prominent  of  these,  commencing  with  LOCOMOTIVES. 

It  is  a  somewhat  singular  fact,  that  the  same  eminent  Philadel- 
phia Engineer,  to  whom  we  referred  as  a  pioneer  in  the  construc- 
tion of  Cotton  Machinery,  is  also  credited  with  having  built  the 
first  Locomotive  Steam  Engine,  taking  the  word  locomotive  in 
its  derivative  signification  as  "self-acting."* 

It  may  also  be  claimed,  that  the  first  entirely  successful  Amer- 
ican Locomotive  was  built  by  a  Philadelphia  mechanic  ;  while  it 
is  conceded  that  here  many  of  the  most  important  improvements 
in  its  construction  and  capabilities  had  their  origin.  The  work- 
shops of  this  city  have  sent  forth  nearly  1,800  Locomotives  to 
perform  their  part  in  extending  civilization,  some  of  which  are 
now  thundering  up  mountain  grades,  on  the  long  lines  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Central  and  Baltimore  and  Ohio  roads,  while 
others  are  extending  the  fame  of  American  genius  in  Continental 
Europe.  The  establishments,  of  which  there  are  two  in  this  city, 
date  from  the  organization  of  the  manufacture  into  a  distinct 
business,  and  a  brief  outline  of  their  history  will  not  be  deemed 
inappropriate. 

*  Scott's  Gazetteer,  published  in  1805,  speaking  of  Oliver  Evans,  says  : — 
"  He  is  now  just  finishing  a  machine  called  the  Orukter  Amphibolis,  or  Am- 
phibious Digger,  for  the  purpose  of  digging  either  by  land  or  water,  and 
deepening  the  docks  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  It  consists  of  a  steam- 
engine  on  board  of  a  flat-bottomed  boat,  to  work  a  chain  of  hooks  to  break 
up  the  ground,  with  buckets  to  raise  it  above  water,  and  deposit  it  in  an- 
other boat  to  be  carried  off.  This  principle  he  can  no  doubt  apply  to  dig 
canals  to  make  great  dispatch.  Orukter  Amphibolis  is  built  a  mile  from 
the  water;  and  although  very  heavy,  he  means  to  move  it  to  the  water  by 
the  power  of  the  engine.  Its  first  state  will  then  be,  a  Land  Carriage  moved 
by  steam." 


306  PHILADELPHIA  AND  ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

M.    W.    BALDWIN    &    CO.'S    LOCOMOTIVE    WORKS. 

The  founder  of  these  works,  Mr.  M.  W.  Baldwin,  is  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Philadelphia  for  over 
forty  years.  He  commenced  his  mechanical  career  as  an  appren- 
tice to  the  Jewelry  manufacture ;  but,  on  attaining  his  majority, 
saw  proper  to  apply  the  knowledge  so  obtained  to  the  production 
and  improvement  of  Bookbinders'  Tools,  which  at  that  time — 
thirty  or  thirty-five  years  ago — were  generally  imported.  In  part- 
nership with  David  H.  Mason,  he  prosecuted  this  manufacture 
with  success  ;  and,  by  the  introduction  of  new  designs,  largely 
extended  and  improved  Ornamental  Bookbinding.  To  this  busi- 
ness was  added  in  1822,  that  of  engraving  rolls  for  printing 
cotton  goods,  which  became  the  source  of  large  profits.  They 
were  the  originators  of  this  business  in  this  country,  and  pursued 
it  without  competition  until  they  had  brought  it  to  a  degree  of 
perfection  that  defied  foreign  competition.  Subsequently,  Bank- 
note engraving  was  attempted  with  fair  success.  These  pur- 
suits required  the  invention  and  manufacture  of  a  variety  of  tools 
and  machinery  adapted  to  particular  uses,  the  getting  up  of  which 
gradually  introduced  the  Machine  business,  and  the  manufacture 
of  Hydraulic  Presses,  Rolls  for  Calendering  Paper,  Stationary  En- 
gines, and  finally  the  Locomotive.  In  1830,  at  the  request  of  Mr. 
Peale,  the  proprietor  of  the  Philadelphia  Museum,  Mr.  Baldwin 
constructed  a  model  Locomotive  Engine  for  exhibition,  which  was 
put  in  use  in  1831,  hauling  five  or  six  passengers  in  a  train  of  cars, 
and  attracting  crowds  to  the  then  novel  sight.  This  led  to  an 
order  for  an  engine  from  the  Philadelphia  and  Germantown  Rail- 
road Company ;  it  was  completed  in  1832,  and  placed  on  the  road 
in  January,  1833.  This  was,  undoubtedly,  the  first  successful 
American  Locomotive  Engine ;  and,  from  the  records  in  the 
newspapers  of  that  day,  its  performance  was  not  exceeded  for 
years  after,  having  made  a  mile  in  less  than  a  minute.  The  busi- 
ness was  now  commenced,  and  extended  as  rapidly  as.  the  neces- 
sary tools,  patterns,  and  fixtures,  could  be  obtained.  During  the 
years  1833-34,  five  engines  were  built,  and  the  large  shops  on 
Broad,  above  Callowhill  street,  now  occupied  as  their  works,  were 
commenced  and  completed.  In  1835,  fourteen  Locomotives  were 


LOCOMOTIVE   WORKS.  307 

manufactured;  in  1836,  forty;  and  in  1837,  between  forty-five 
and  fifty.  The  financial  revulsions  of  the  period  reduced  the 
number,  in  1838,  to  twenty-four.  The  leading  features  of  the 
engines  built  by  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  which  established  his  reputa- 
tion upon  a  permanent  basis,  were  their  simplicity,  strength,  and 
durability.  The  greater  portion  are  yet  in  use  ;  and,  within  the 
limit  of  their  power,  are  still  doing  duty  profitably  to  their  owners, 
and  creditably  to  the  skill  of  the  builder.  The  plan  of  attaching 
the  cylinders  to  the  outside  of  the  smoke-box,  now  almost  uni- 
versally adopted,  originated  with  Mr.  Baldwin  ;  and  also  the  me- 
tallic ground  joints,  and  various  minor  improvements,  upon  which 
the  present  perfection  of  the  Locomotive  Engine  depends. 

In  1842,  Mr.  Baldwin  introduced  the  six  and  eight-wheel  con- 
nected engine,  with  an  arrangement  of  truck  for  adaptation  to 
the  curves  and  undulations  of  the  road.  The  superintendent  of 
the  largest  coal  freighting  road  in  the  United  States  says  of  these  : 
"  They  are  saving  us  thirty  per  cent,  in  every  trip  on  the  former 
cost  of  Motive  or  Engine  Power." 

In  1854,  Mr.  MATTHEW  BATRD  became  associated  with  Mr. 
Baldwin,  under  the  present  firm  style  of  M.  W.  Baldwin  &  Co. 
Mr.  Baird  is  a  practical  mechanic,  who  is  familiar  both  with  the 
details  of  the  Locomotive  business  since  its  commencement,  and 
with  other  mechanical  pursuits,  and  is  a  gentleman  of  much  and 
deserved  popularity.  Contributing  to  the  concern  capital,  en- 
ergy, and  practical  knowledge,  it  has,  with  his  accession,  taken  a 
new  lease  of  prosperous  activity. 

The  proprietors  of  these  works  have  for  years  been  engaged  in 
perfecting  a  system  of  engines,  by  means  of  which  they  could  be 
adapted  to  economical  working  on  almost  any  grade  or  curve. 
Several  distinct  kinds,  and  numerous  sizes  of  each  kind,  from 
three  to  thirty-five  tons  weight,  are  manufactured  with  from  two 
to  eight  driving-wheels.  The  system  of  adaptation,  and  its  ad- 
vantages, are  seen  in  its  results.  On  the  Pennsylvania  Rail-road, 
Eastern  Division,  where  the  grades  are  moderate,  a  passenger 
engine,  has  been  running  over  eighteen  months  133  miles  per  day 
without  the  loss  of  a  trip  for  repairs. 

The  success  with  which  difficulties  are  overcome  by  engines  of 
this  firm's  construction,  is  specially  illustrated  in  a  pamphlet  pub- 


308  PHILADELPHIA  AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

lished  by  Charles  Ellet,  Civil  Engineer,  describing  their  working 
on  a  mountain  top,  over  the  Blue  Ridge.     He  says  : 

"  We  should  not  regard  mountainous  regions  as  necessarily  excluded 
from  participation  in  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  due  to  the  rail- 
road, because  they  can  only  be  reached  by  lines  of  very  steep  grade  or 
very  abrupt  curvature.  The  American  Locomotive  can  penetrate  into 
the  most  retired  valleys  of  Switzerland,  and  bring  forth  the  products 
of  their  industry.  Wherever  men  can  go  to  cultivate  the  earth  with 
profit,  there  the  locomotive  can  follow  to  take  away  the  produce  of 
their  soil.  In  fact,  the  engines  daily  running  on  this  road,  and  draw- 
ing after  them  regular  trains  of  forty  or  fifty  tons  of  freight  and  pas- 
sengers up  grades  rising  at  the  rate  of  296  feet  per  mile,  and  swinging 
their  trains  of  eight- wheel  cars  around  curves  of  less  than  300  feet 
radii,  are  capable  of  carrying  the  artillery  and  supplies  of  an  army  up 
the  steepest  slopes  of  the  present  road  over  the  Simplon,  and  offering 
facilities  to  an  invader  that  would  have  been  deemed  impossible  a  very 
short  time  ago. 

"This  road  was  opened  to  the  public  in  the  spring  of  1854,  and  it 
has  now,  in  the  autumn  of  1857,  been  in  constant  use  for  a  period  of 
more  than  three  and  a  half  years.  In  all  that  time  the  admirable  en- 
gines relied  on  to  perform  the  extraordinary  duties  imposed  upon  them 
in  the  passage  of  this  summit,  have  failed  but  once  to  make  their  regu- 
lar passage. 

"  The  locomotives  for  this  severe  duty  were  designed  and  constructed 
by  the  firm  of  M.  W.  Baldwin  and  Company,  of  Philadelphia.  The 
slight  modifications  introduced  at  the  instance  of  the  writer,  to  adapt 
<  hem  better  to  the  particular  service  to  be  performed  in  crossing  the 
Blue  Ridge,  did  not  touch  the  working  proportions  or  principles  of  the 
engines,  the  merits  of  which  are  due  to  the  patentee,  M.  W.  Baldwin, 
Esq.  During  the  severe  winter  of  1855-56,  when  the  travel  upon  all 
the  Railways  of  Virginia,  and  the  Northern  and  Western  States,  was 
interrupted,  and  on  many  lines  for  days  in  succession,  the  engines  upon 
this  mountain  track,  with  the  exception  of  the  single  day  already  spe- 
cified, moved  regularly  forward  and  did  their  appointed  work.  In  fact, 
during  the  space  of  three  and  a  half  years  that  the  road  has  been  in 
use,  they  have  only  failed  to  take  the  mail  through  in  a  single  instance, 
when  the  train  was  caught  in  a  snow-drift  near  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain. 

"  These  results  are  due,  in  a  great  degree,  certainly,  to  the  admir- 
able adaptation  of  the  engines  employed  to  the  service  to  be  per- 
'orrned  ;  *  *  *  the  difficulties  overcome  in  the  location  and  work- 


LOCOMOTIVE    WORKS.  309 

ing  of  the  line,  very  much  exceed  those  which  have  made  the  Austrian 
road  over  the  Soemmering  famous  throughout  Europe,  while  they  have 
confirmed  the  claim  of  the  American  Locomotive,  in  climbing  steep 
grades,  to  unrivaled  pre-eminence." 

The  present  extent  of  the  works  of  M.  W.  Baldwin  &  Co., 
will  be  best  illustrated  by  the  following  items  of  materials  con- 
sumed during  the  year  1857,  viz. : 

»r  Iron 1,294,237  pounds.    Sheet  Copper 103,692  pounds. 


Boiler  and  Flue  Iron $46,177 

Sheet  Iron 35,831 

Tire  Iron. 292,235 

Pig  Iron 1,901,536 

Axles  and  Forginga 315,981 


Ingot  Copper 55,492 

Banca  Tin 14,536 

Springs  and  Steel 114,868       " 

Anthracite  Coal 2,000  tons. 

Bituminous  Coal 25,300  bushels. 


Value  $223,766  69. 

Iron  Flues value  $17,027    Lumber value    $9,017 

Files  and  Hardware " 11,745    Oil,  Paints,  Glass,  &c " 7,322 

In  addition  to  the  above,  Sheet  Brass,  Spelter,  Charcoal,  Belts, 
Hose,  Locomotive  Lamps,  Steam  Gauges,  Moulding  Sand,  Fire- 
Brick,  Clay,  Boiler  Rivets,  &c.,  &c.,  were  purchased  to  the  amount 
of  $30,000.  Over  600  hands  were  employed,  producing  machinery 
equal  to  seventy-two  Locomotive  Engines,  during  the  year. 

THE    NORRIS    LOCOMOTIVE    WORKS. 

The  Norris  Locomotive  Works  originated  in  1834,  in  a  small 
shop,  employing  but  six  men,  whose  united  wages  was  but  thirty- 
six  dollars  per  week.  The  power  was  furnished  from  an  adjoining 
wheelwright  shop,  by  a  connecting  shaft  through  a  hole  in  the 
wall.  Previous  to  this,  in  1831,  Mr.  "Wm.  Norris,  in  connection 
with  Colonel  Stephen  H.  Long,  General  Parker,  George  D.  Weth- 
erell,  and  Dr.  Richard  Harlan,  had  formed  a  company  for  build- 
ing "  Locomotors,"  (as  they  were  then  called.)  intended  for  the 
use  of  Anthracite  coal  as  fuel.  The  first  Engine  was  built  under 
the  immediate  supervision  of  Colonel  Long,  at  the  Phoenix  Foun- 
dry, Kensington.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1832,  steam  was  raised, 
ind  it  was  tested  on  the  New  Castle  and  Frenchtown  Rail-road. 
The  trial  proved  their  first  attempt  a  failure,  in  consequence  of 
the  limited  grate  and  fire  surface.  The  Locomotive  would  run  a 
mile  at  fair  speed ;  but  would  then  stop  short,  until  a  fresh  supply 
of  steam  was  generated. 

At  these  works  it  is  said  an  Engine  was  first  constructed,  ca- 
pable of  ascending  heavy  grades  with  loaded  cars.  This  feat  was 
25 


810  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

performed  by  the  "George  Washington,"  in  1836.  This  success 
excited  attention  everywhere  to  the  superiority  of  Philadel- 
phia Locomotives,  and  orders  from  Europe  were  received.  In 
183*7,  the  Gloucester  and  Birmingham  Railway,  England,  was 
supplied  with  seventeen  Locomotives  from  these  works,  some  of 
which  are  still  in  use. 

The  present  works  are  very  extensive,  embracing  numerous 
buildings  situated  on  Hamilton,  Fairview,  Morris,  and  Seven- 
teenth streets,  on  the  locality  formerly  known  as  Bush  Hill.  In 
the  year  1853  over  one  thousand  hands  were  employed  in  them ; 
and  with  the  improvements  in  buildings,  tools,  &c.,  made  since 
1853,  they  can  now  accommodate  over  fifteen  hundred  hands. 

There  are  several  leading  principles  observed  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  these  works,  which  appear  calculated  to  insure  their 
highest  efficiency,  and  the  best  quality  in  their  productions.  One 
is  the  manufacture,  upon  the  spot,  not  only  of  the  Engines,  but  as 
far  as  possible,  of  the  materials  also  of  which  they  are  composed. 
All  the  forged  work — Tires,  Tubes,  Springs,  Brass  and  Iron  Cast- 
ings, Chilled  Wheels,  and  other  parts,  are  here  made  in  the  best 
manner,  and  with  the  aid  of  every  fixture  to  be  found  in  es- 
tablishments supplying  separately  each  of  these  items.  Another 
is  the  greatest  possible  substitution  of  machinery  for  manual  labor. 
The  tools  are  adapted,  in  a  special  manner,  to  the  execution  of 
each  portion  of  the  work ;  and  each  class  of  tools  is  specially  ap- 
propriated to  distinct  portions  of  the  work.  Another  is  the  en- 
tire independence  of  the  different  departments  of  the  works  from 
each  other.  Hardly  any  two  distinct  branches  of  labor  are  car- 
ried on  together  in  the  same  apartment ;  but,  at  the  same  time, 
there  is  the  utmost  facility  for  all  necessary  communication  be- 
tween the  separate  departments.  In  the  materials  used  for  the 
Engines,  wrought  iron  is  used  wherever  practicable,  and  to  the 
exclusion  of  cast  iron.  Hammered  charcoal  iron  is  used  for  the 
boilers ;  thick  brazier's  copper  is  used  exclusively  for  the  tubes ; 
and  tough  scrap  is  used  for  all  important  forgings. 

Up  to  the  present  period  nine  hundred  and  thirty-seven  Loco- 
motives have  been  constructed  at  the  Norris  Works  ;  the  average 
for  the  last  ten  years  being  about  forty  Locomotives  per  year. 
Of  this  number,  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  were  on  foreign  ac- 


CARS   AND   CAR   WHEELS.  311 

count,  having  been  shipped  to  England,  France,  Austria,  Prussia, 
Italy,  South  America,  Cuba,  &c. 

The  cost  of  a  Locomotive,  complete,  varies  between  $6,000  and 
$12,000,  although  the  price  is  somewhat  confused,  from  the  prac- 
tice of  taking  stock  or  bonds  of  a  road  in  total  or  part  payment, 
and  often  at  some  nominal  price,  without  reference  to  their  real 
value.  The  weight  of  a  large  first-class  Locomotive,  whether  for 
freight  or  passengers,  reaches  as  high  as  from  twenty  to  thirty  tons, 
exclusive  of  the  tender.  It  is  expedient  in  practice  to  use  large 
Locomotives  and  haul  heavy  trains,  in  preference  to  the  reverse, 
as  the  expense  of  attendance,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  of  repairs, 
is  no  greater  for  a  large  than  for  a  small  engine. 

The  workmen  employed  in  the  Locomotive  establishments  of 
Philadelphia  are  a  very  superior  order  of  mechanics,  of  whom  the 
citizens  of  Philadelphia  may  justly  be  proud.  The  greatness  of 
their  mechanical  creation  is,  in  some  respects,  a  prototype  of 
their  physical  and  mental  characteristics. 

CARS  are  made  in  Philadelphia  at  two  establishments,  which  in 
excellence  of  production,  if  not  in  extent,  rank  among  the  first  in 
the  country.  The  Philadelphia  builders  have  constructed  Cars 
for  more  than  fifty  of  the  Rail-roads  in  the  United  States  ;  and 
for  beauty  of  finish,  thorough  workmanship,  strength,  and  dura- 
bility, their  Cars  have  no  superiors.  Nearly  all  the  Passenger 
and  Freight  Cars  of  the  Pennsylvania  Central,  and  all  for  the 
North  Pennsylvania  Rail-road  were  built  by  them,  as  well  as  large 
numbers  for  Rail-roads  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States,  and 
in  Cuba  and  the  British  Provinces.  (See  APPENDIX.) 

The  locality  is  one  of  the  best  for  this  manufacture  in  the 
country  ;  for,  connected  as  Philadelphia  is  by  Rail-roads  with 
every  part  of  the  United  States,  and  being  on  tide-water,  build- 
ers have  every  facility  for  convenient  and  cheap  transportation 
to  any  part  of  the  world ;  and,  with  iron  and  coal — the  two  heavi- 
est items  in  their  business — cheaper  here  than  in  any  other  ship- 
ping port  in  the  Union,  they  necessarily  possess  unrivaled  advan- 
tages for  manufacturing  Cars  with  the  greatest  economy. 

For  the  manufacture  of  CAR  WHEELS,  A.  WHITNEY  &  SONS 
have  an  immense  establishment,  the  buildings  of  which  cover  8,000 


312  PHILADELPHIA    AXD    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

square  feet  of  ground.  The  moulding  room  is  four  hundred  feet 
by  sixty  feet — probably  the  largest  in  this  country  ;  having  two 
Railways  extending  its  entire  length,  on  which  carriage  Cranes 
are  propelled,  and  used  for  removing  the  molten  iron  from  the 
furnaces  to  the  moulds,  and  the  wheels  from  the  moulds  to  the 
cooling  pits.  There  are  five  large  furnaces  in  all — three  of  which 
communicate  by  tubes  with  an  immense  caldron  for  containing 
melted  iron.  There  are  thirty-six  cooling  pits,  having  a  capacity 
for  holding  at  a  time  two  hundred  and  fifty  wheels. 

The  wheels  are  taken  from  the  moulds  as  soon  after  they  are 
cast  as  they  have  become  cool  enough  to  bear  moving  without 
changing  their  form.  In  this  state  they  are  put  into  a  circular 
furnace  or  chamber,  whicli  has  been  previously  heated  to  a  dark 
red  heat.  As  soon  as  they  are  deposited  in  this  furnace  or 
chamber,  the  opening  through  which  they  have  been  passed  is 
closed,  and  the  temperature  of  the  furnace  and  its  contents  is 
gradually  raised  about  as  high  as  that  of  the  hottest  part  of  the 
wheel  when  taken  from  the  mould.  All  the  avenues  to  and  from 
the  interior  of  the  furnace  are  then  closed,  and  the  whole  mass  is 
left  to  cool  as  slowly  as  the  heat  will  pass  off  by  permeating 
through  the  exterior  wall  of  the  furnace,  composed  of  brick  four 
and  a  half  inches  thick,  enclosed  in  a  sheet-iron  case  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  thick. 

By  this  process  every  part  of  each  wheel  is  raised  to  the  same 
temperature  before  cooling  iu  the  furnace  commences,  and  as  the 
heat  can  only  pass  off  through  the  medium  of  the  wall  and  case 
enclosing  it,  all  parts  of  the  wheel  cool  and  contract  simulta- 
neously. The  time  required  to  cool  wheels  in  this  way  is  three 
days.  In  this  manner  wheels  of  any  form  can  be  made  with  a 
solid  hub,  free  from  all  inherent  strain,  and  without  the  hardness 
of  the  chill  being  in  the  least  impaired. 

The  furnaces  used  in  performing  this  process  of  prolonged  cool- 
ing are  so  constructed  that  the  combustion  of  fuel  used  in  heating 
them  may  be  rendered  more  or  less  active  at  pleasure. 

The  proprietors  commenced  making  wheels  in  this  way  in  1847. 
Their  works  are  now  capable  of  turning  out  75,000  wheels  per 
annum.  The  process  of  prolonged  cooling  employed  by  them 
was  invented  by  the  senior  partner  of  the  firm,  and  secured  by 
Patent,  April  25th,  1848. 


AXLES,    SPRINGS,    AND   TURN-TABLES.  313 

The  manufacture  of  the  minor  parts  of  Railway  Machinery 
constitutes  in  the  aggregate  an  important  business,  but  it  is  car- 
ried on  usually  in  combination  with  other  machinery. 

CAR  AXLES  are  made  at  several  establishments,  but  principally 
at  the  Pencoyd  Rolling  Mill,  of  which  A.  &  P.  ROBERTS  are  pro- 
prietors. These  works  are  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  both  Rolled  and  Hammered  Car  aud  Locomotive 
Axles.  Their  products  are  in  use  on  most  of  the  leading  Rail- 
roads of  the  United  States,  Canada,  Cuba,  and  South  America, 
and  deservedly  enjoy  a  high  reputation  for  quality  and  finish. 
Since  they  have  been  in  operation,  until  January  1,  1858,  they 
produced  12,982  Hammered  Car  and  Locomotive  Axles,  and 
16,410  Rolled  Car  Axles,  of  various  diameters  and  lengths. 
Their  Axles  are  all  stamped  in  the  "  centre1'  with  the  name  of 
the  works,  year  and  day  of  mouth  on  which  made,  aud  are  all 
centered  ready  for  the  lathe  before  leaving  the  works. 

They  have  three  Heating  Furnaces,  and  one  Trip  and  one 
Steam  Hammer,  and  one  train  of  Rollers  ;  and  employ,  when  in 
full  operation,  about  seventy-five  hands. 

CAR  SPRINGS,  of  every  description,  are  made  in  the  city ;  and 
large  quantities,  of  sizes  and  patterns  most  in  demand,  are  usually 
stored  in  anticipation  of  orders.  The  best  of  material  and  work 
are  availed  of,  and  much  pains  are  taken  to  secure  the  best  form 
and  construction  of  every  detail  appertaining  to  the  business. 
About  four  hundred  tons  of  Springs  are  manufactured  annually 
in  a  single  establishment. 

Railway  Turning  and  Sliding  Tables  and  Pivot  Bridges  are 
made  upon  a  new  and  economical  plan,  and  of  any  required 
length.  Messrs.  WILLIAM  SELLERS  &  Co.,  who,  by  the  engineer- 
ing ability  they  have  displayed,  are  entitled  to  a  rank  among  the 
most  eminent  of  European  and  American  Engineers,  make  a 
Turn-Table  of  peculiar  construction — the  largest  size  being  fifty- 
four  feet  in  diameter.  It  consists  of  a  quadrangular  centre-piece 
or  box,  upon  which  the  arms  for  carrying  the  rails  are  keyed  in  a 
very  substantial  manner.  At  the  outer  end  of  the  arms  are  placed 
two  cross-girths,  carrying  four  truck  wheels,  which  are  intended 
to  take  the  weight  when  the  load  is  going  on  or  off.  The  centre 
rests  upon  Parry's  Patent  Anti-Friction  Box;  and  the  power  of 
25* 


314  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

one  man  is  sufficient  to  turn  the  table  and  its  load,  easily,  without 
the  intervention  of  any  gearing.  They  are  so  constructed,  that 
water  in  the  pit,  within  eighteen  inches  of  the  top  of  the  rail  on 
the  road,  will  not  impair  their  efficiency  or  durability. 

Lap-welded  Boiler  Flues,  for  Locomotives  and  other  Engines, 
are  made  by  Messrs.  MORRIS,  TASKER  &  Co.,  and  of  various  sizes, 
from  one  and  a  quarter  to  eight  inches,  outside  diameter,  cut  to  a 
specific  length.  The  reputation  of  this  firm  will  be  esteemed,  by 
those  who  know  them,  as  a  guarantee  for  the  excellence  of  every 
article  they  produce. 

Car  and  Locomotive  Lamps  are  made  in  several  establish- 
ments ;  and  Mr.  H.  W.  HOOK,  to  whom  we  referred  in  connection 
with  type-metal,  makes  a  very  superior  Anti-Friction  Metal  for 
bearings,  which  is  apparently  indestructible. 

3.    MACHINE     TOOLS. 

The  excellence  of  the  Machine  Tools,  made  in  Philadelphia, 
was  referred  to  at  some  length  in  our  Introductory,  as  contribut- 
ing to  the  manufacturing  advantages  of  this  city.  Since  those 
remarks  were  written,  a  gentleman,  who  has  a  practical  and  tech- 
nical acquaintance  with  the  subject,  has  testified  that  Philadelphia 
Tools  unquestionably  surpass  those  made  elsewhere  in  this  coun- 
try, in  strength,  proportion,  and  workmanship,  and  assigns  prac- 
tical, satisfactory,  and  technical  reasons  for  this  superiority.  Their 
strength,  he  says,  is  insured  both  by  the  amount  and  quality  of 
their  material.  Machine  Tools  require  great  solidity  of  parts — 
much  inertia,  to  prevent  injurious  vibration  under  work — any  jar 
being  incompatible  with  accurate  work,  besides  injuring  the  tool 
itself.  The  Beds  and  other  important  parts  of  the  Tools,  made 
by  Bement  &  Dougherty,  and  by  Wm.  Sellers  &  Co.,  average 
nearly  or  quite  double  the  weight  allowed  by  other  American 
builders.  The  distribution  of  cast  iron  is  extremely  stiff.  The 
iron  itself  is  selected  from  the  best  qualities  known  in  the  manu- 
facture ;  very  little  used  in  Philadelphia  Tools  having  a  tensile 
strength  of  less  than  22,000  pounds,  while  much  of  it  stands 
28,000  pounds  per  square  inch.  The  Castings,  especially,  are  of 
a  quality  peculiar  to  this  city,  being  of  singular  perfection.  The 
lathe-spindles  are  made  of  cast  steel,  hammered  to  shape  in  Shef- 


MACHINE   TOOLS.  315 

field,  and  costing  no  less  than  sixteen  cents  per  pound.  The 
Boxes  are  of  gun-brass,  nine  parts  copper  to  one  of  tin,  a  most 
expensive  combination,  worth  forty-four  cents  a  pound.  The 
Wrooght-iron  work  is  made  from  best  Pennsylvania  Charcoal 
Iron,  or  other  equally  good  bar ;  and  all  parts  which  can  be  pro- 
perly so  treated  are  carefully  case-hardened. 

The  strength  and  quality  of  material  are  applied  to  the  best 
advantage  through  good  proportion.  In  this  point,  the  Tools 
under  notice  have  everywhere  met  the  highest  approval.  The 
excellent  distribution  of  metal  relieves  the  castings  from  any  ap- 
pearance of  clumsiness.  The  bearings  are  of  ample  sizes,  the 
cone-pulleys  of  such  width  as  will  bear  a  belt  equal  in  power  to 
the  strength  of  the  machine ;  and  the  gearing,  screws,  and  all 
other  parts,  are  in  corresponding  proportion. 

While  the  finish  of  Philadelphia  Tools,  though  chaste,  is  se- 
verely plain,  the  entire  workmanship  is  of  the  best  character.  All 
parts  are  made  to  standard  gauges,  whereby  each  will  fit  its 
corresponding  parts  in  a  hundred  tools.  The  wearing  surfaces  are 
scraped  together, — a  slow  and  patient  process,  which  insures  the 
highest  accuracy  of  fit, — absolute  contact  at  every  point.  The 
bolt-holes  are  all  reamed  and  the  bolts  turned  and  driven  home. 
The  gearing  is  cut  to  a  perfect  form  of  tooth  in  each  case.  The 
screw-cutting  cannot  be  surpassed. 

A  Lathe  or  Planing  Machine,  made  with  such  care  and  accu- 
racy, will  accomplish  double  the  work  of  a  tool  of  ordinary  con- 
struction, of  the  same  nominal  capacity.  This  has  been  fully 
proved  in  the  various  manufactories  and  rail-rood  shops  where 
both  have  been  tested  in  comparison  with  each  other.  The  Phil- 
adelphia Car  Wheel  Works  has  lathes  which  can  turn  regularly 
ten  ordinary  axles  in  a  day  of  ten  hours.  The  same  Works  has 
Boring  Mills,  in  which  seventy  car  wheels  can  be  bored  and 
squared  up  in  the  same  time.  The  Pencoyd  Works  has  Lathes 
which,  by  doing  double  the  work  of  ordinary  Lathes  formerly  used, 
have  saved  in  attendance,  in  one  year,  the  extra  amount  of  their 
first  cost.  The  Camden  and  Amboy  Company  has  a  Lathe  at 
Bordentown,  which  has  turned  off  four  flanged  locomotive-tires 
in  six  and  a  half  hours  !  Commercially,  a  tool  that  will  "stand 
up  to  the  work,"  in  this  manner,  is  worth  more  than  double  the 


316  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

pnce  of  an  ordinary  machine  of  the  same  nominal  capacity,  for  it 
does  double  the  work  with  the  same  attendance, — saving  hands 
and  shop  room, — while  the  work  is  also  much  better  done.  This 
saving  and  advantage  are  so  great  that  the  leading  rail-roads, 
when  securing  new  equipments,  cannot  hesitate  in  their  selection 
of  Tools.  The  Pennsylvania,  the  Camden  and  Amboy,  Virginia 
Central,  North  Carolina,  Georgia  Central,  Memphis  and  Charles- 
ton, and  many  others,  have  stocked  their  shops  chiefly  with  Phil- 
adelphia Tools.  The  United  States  Government  has  purchased, 
and  is  still  purchasing  them  for  the  Navy  Yards  ;  and  large  quan- 
tities have  been  furnished  the  Russian  government. 

The  two  principal  Machine  Tool-making  firms  in  Philadelphia 
are  WILLIAM  SELLERS  &  Co.,  and  BEMENT  &  DOUGHERTY.  They 
employ  about  three  hundred  hands,  and  turn  out  an  average  an- 
nual product  of  $350,000.  Both  of  these  firms  have  produced 
machines  that  may  fairly  be  regarded  as  mechanical  triumphs  ; 
and  have  given  a  permanent  reputation  to  the  manufacture  which 
will  make  Philadelphia,  if  not  already  fairly  entitled  to  be  so 
called,  the  great  seat  of  this  business  in  the  United  States. 

4.     STEAM     AND     FIRE    ENGINES. 

Steam  Engines  are  a  leading  article  of  manufacture  in  nearly 
all  the  machine  shops  of  Philadelphia.  There  are  more  than  a 
dozen  establishments  in  the  city,  provided  with  facilities  for  con- 
structing any  size  or  description  of  Stationary  and  Portable 
Engines ;  but  there  are  none  in  which  the  Steam  Engine  is  an 
exclusive  article  of  manufacture,  or  none  which  keep  a  large  stock 
of  finished  Engines  constantly  on  hand.  The  necessity  for  antic- 
ipating orders  has  not  hitherto  been  felt  by  the  makers,  their 
facilities  being  such  as  enable  them  to  meet  the  demand,  as  it 
arises,  with  sufficient  expedition. 

Within  the  last  few  years  the  attention  of  ingenious  men  in 
this,  as  well  as  in  other  places,  has  been  directed  largely  to  sim- 
plifying the  Steam  Engine,  removing  all  essentially  unneces- 
sary parts,  cheapening  its  price,  and  diminishing  its  size.  At 
least  one  firm  in  Philadelphia  has  been  remarkably  successful  in 
all  these  points,  and  now  construct  a  Portable  Engine,  with  a 
vertical  cylinder,  peculiarly  adapted  for  confined  situations 


STEAM   AND   FIRE   ENGINES.  317 

Messrs.  LIST  &  DAVIS,  of  West  Philadelphia,  the  firm  referred 
to,  are  now  constructing  a  Ten-horse  power  Engine  for  a  Pill 
Manufacturer,  that  will  not  occupy  more  space  than  six  feet  square. 
The  water,  before  entering  the  boiler,  passes  through  heated 
tubes,  and  consequently  no  cold  water  is  at  any  time  admitted  into 
the  boiler.  The  cost  of  an  Engine  and  boiler  of  this  description, 
of  ten-horse  power,  will  not  exceed  $1,050. 

One  Engine  builder  and  machinist,  Mr.  A.  L.  ARCHAMBAULT, 
devotes  a  large  part  of  his  attention  to  the  manufacture  of  a  pe- 
culiar Portable  Steam  Hoisting  and  Pumping  Engine.  This 
Machine  requires,  but  one  man  to  keep  up  steam  and  attend  to 
the  brakes  ;  and  by  its  aid  pig  iron  can  be  discharged  from  a  vessel 
at  the  rate  of  twenty-five  tons  per  hour,  and  still  more  expeditiously 
if  it  can  be  got  ready.  This  Engine  is  also  arranged  for  driving 
Portable  Saw  Mills  ;  and  wherever  it  has  been  tested,  it  has  ex- 
cited attention,  given  entire  satisfaction,  and  elicited  much  com- 
mendation. First  premiums  have  been  awarded  the  manufacturer, 
on  several  occasions,  by  the  Franklin  Institute,  and  by  Agricul- 
tural Societies  in  various  States ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  whatever 
that  both  labor  and  time  can  be  greatly  economized  in  Hoisting, 
Pumping,  &c.,  by  the  use  of  Archarabault's  Portable  Engine. 

Mr.  JOHN  L.  KITE  also  makes  Portable  Engines  for  Planta- 
tions, Hoisting,  Pile-driving,  &c. 

Propeller  Engines  are  a  leading  article  of  manufacture  in  the 
great  establishment  of  REANEY,  NEAFIE  &  Co.,  who  have  built 
and  put  in  successful  operation  a  greater  number  than  any  other 
firm  in  the  United  States.  For  the  last  fourteen  years  they  have 
made  this  subject  almost  their  entire  study ;  and,  with  an  experi- 
ence derived  from  having  built  over  two  hundred  Engines  of  this 
class,  may  be  not  inaptly  called  "the  Propeller  builders."  It 
would  be  tedious  to  name  a  fractional  part  of  the  vessels  con- 
structed by  them;  but  the  "Pampero,"  whose  stanchness  de- 
served a  better  service  than  her  Cuban  expedition,  the  "  Granite 
State,"  "Martin  White,"  "Mount  Yernon,"  the  "Baltimore," 
"  J.  K  Hammitt,"  "  Lancaster,"  and  others,  are  worthy  and 
lasting  monuments  to  the  fame  of  their  eminent  builders.* 

•  The  firm  of  Reaney,  Neafie  &  Co.,  is  composed  of  Thomas  Reaney, 
Jacob  G.  Neafie,  and  John  P.  Levy.  Both  Mr.  Reaney  and  Mr.  Neafie  have 


318  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Messrs.  Reaney,  Neafie  &  Co.  are  also  proprietors  of  the 
patent  right  for  the  "  Curved  Propeller,"  which  has  attained 
deserved  popularity ;  and  the  demand  for  their  peculiar  wheel 
has  been  so  great  from  the  Canadas  and  on  the  Lakes,  that 
they  have  found  it  necessary  to  connect  themselves  with  several 
extensive  establishments  on  the  Lakes.  They  are  now  building 
the  engines  for  the  Government  sloop  "Lancaster." 

Quite  recently,  as  we  have  elsewhere  stated,  this  firm  con- 
structed several  Steam  Fire  Engines,  which  have  operated  so 
successfully  as  to  revolutionize  popular  opinion  with  respect  to 
the  availibility  of  steam  for  extinguishing  fires. 

The  building  of  Hand  Fire  Engines  is  inseparably  associated 
with  the  name  of  one  Philadelphia  maker — JOHN  AGNEW.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  the  business  for  thirty-five  years,  and  has 
constructed,  up  to  the  present  time,  606  Fire  Engines.  Several 
of  his  Engines  are  in  service  in  New  York,  three  in  California,  a 
half  dozen  in  Cuba  and  the  other  West  India  Islands.  He  em- 
ploys generally  about  thirty-four  hands.  The  average  cost  of  a 
Fire  Engine,  finished  in  ordinary  style,  is  $1500. 

5.  MILL  GEARING  AND  SHAFTING. 

The  manufacture  of  Gearing,  Shafting,  Couplings,  &c.,  ordi- 
narily constitutes  a  branch  of  the  general  Machine  Business,  but 
about  eleven  years  ago  it  was  taken  up  as  a  specialty  by  Messrs. 
Bancroft  &  Sellers,  then  located  in  the  District  of  Kensington, 
and  has  been  continued  by  them  and  their  successors,  Messrs. 

had  a  long  and  practical  experience  in  mnchine  shops — the  former  hav- 
ing served  his  apprenticeship  with  Mr.  Holloway,  the  first  Marine  En- 
gine builder  in  Philadelphia;  while  Captain  Levy,  the  financial  partner,  is 
a  practical  seaman  and  shipwright,  possessing  a  familiar  knowledge  of  the 
hulls,  rigging,  and  engines  of  steamers.  The  result  of  this  union  is,  that 
the  firm  are  prepared  to  build  any  description  of  steam  vessel  outright,  and 
owners  have  but  one  contract  to  make,  and  that  with  very  responsible  parties. 
In  the  construction  of  iron  boats  of  all  classes,  both  side-wheels  and  propel- 
lers, this  firm  do  a  large  business,  having  at  least  two  on  their  stocks  at  all 
times.  The  also  make  all  kinds  of  engines  and  boilers,  high  and  low-pres- 
sure, heavy  and  light  forgings,  and  iron  and  brass  castings  of  all  sizes  and 
patterns.  Having  made  it  a  rule  to  preserve  all  patterns,  their  stock  at 
present  is  very  large. 


PAPERMAKERS*    MACHINERY,    ETC.  319 

WM.  SELLERS  &  Co.,  to  whom  we  have  already  referred  more 
than  once,  and  who  have  now  probably  a  larger  assortment  of 
modern  patterns  than  any  other  house  in  the  country.  The  jour- 
nals or  bearings  on  which  the  shafting  runs,  was  one  of  the  first 
points  to  which  they  directed  their  attention ;  and  the  article 
manufactured  by  them,  and  known  as  the  Ball-and- Socket  Hanger, 
has  attained  an  enviable  reputation.  Since  the  introduction  of 
the  Hanger,  and  their  method  of  connecting  gear-wheels,  the  at- 
tention of  this  firm  has  been  chiefly  directed  to  improving  the 
method  of  Coupling  the  Shafts  together,  so  as  to  render  them  per- 
fectly firm  and  rigid  whilst  at  work,  and  at  the  same  time  to  allow 
of  detaching,  at  any  particular  point,  without  driving  out  keys  or 
using  sledges  or  screw-presses,  as  heretofore  necessary.  This 
object  they  have  at  last  accomplished  by  means  of  their  Double- 
cone  Adjustable  Couplings,  which  can  be  released  from  the  shaft 
by  slackening  two  small  nuts  ;  the  whole  coupling  being  smaller  and 
less  expensive  than  any  other  in  common  use. 

The  thorough  system  introduced  into  this  branch  of  business, 
enables  these  manufacturers  to  employ  the  same  patterns  in  a 
great  variety  of  ways,  and  to  provide  special  tools  particularly 
adapted  to  the  work,  thereby  decreasing  the  cost  to  consumers, 
who,  to  a  great  extent,  are  the  machinists  themselves  in  various 
parts  of  the  country. 

6.    PAPER-MAKERS',   PRINTERS',    AND    BOOKBINDERS* 
MACHINERY. 

Philadelphia  now  contains  one  of  the  most  complete  establish- 
ments in  the  Union  for  making  Paper  Machinery,  being  provided 
with  facilities  for  equipping  at  least  twenty-five  Paper  Mills  annu- 
ally. The  proprietor,  Mr.  NELSON  GAVIT,  is  well  known  as  an 
ingenious  mechanic,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  turning  out 
good  machines,  both  of  the  ordinary  cylinder  and  the  celebrated 
Fourdrinier  machine,  which  cost  the  Messrs.  Fourdrinier  $300,000 
to  invent,  and  caused  their  bankruptcy.  The  cost  of  one  of  these 
machines  is  now  from  $3,400  to  $6,000,  and  of  a  cylinder  machine 
from  $1,800  to  $3,400.  One  peculiarity  noticeable  in  the  "ma- 
chinery of  this  establishment  is,  that  the  shafting,  of  which  there 
is  500  feet,  turns  upon  glass  journals  inserted  in  the  ordinary 


820  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

cast  iron  box,  thereby  avoiding  a  great  deal  of  friction,  and  runs 
with  much  less  noise,  and  requires  oil  only  once,  say,  in  two 
months.  About  sixty-five  hands  are  constantly  employed. 

Bookbinders'  Machines  are  made  in  part  at  a  number  of  estab- 
lishments, but  particularly  and  largely  at  the  shop  of  Mr.  H.  How- 
ard, and  Mr  M.  Riehl,  who  have  been  in  operation  about  four  years 
and  have  turned  out  a  large  quantity  of  very  superior  Machines, 
which  have  been  shipped  to  all  parts  of  this  country  and  to  Cuba. 
While  making  all  kinds  of  Machines  desired  and  ordered  by 
Bookbinders,  this  firm  is  exceptional,  inasmuch  as  they  control 
and  are  sole  manufacturers  of  a  great  number  of  superior  patented 
machines.  Mr.  MICHAEL  RIEHL  is  well  known  to  the  trade  as  an 
inventor,  extremely  successful  in  originating  practical  and  valuable 
improvements.  His  patented  Book-cutting  Machine  is  in  use  in 
the  principal  binderies  in  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and  Boston, 
and  in  the  Government  Book  Binderies  in  Washington.  The 
motion  of  the  knife  is  a  diagonal  forward  one,  which  "draws" 
less  and  does  more  execution  with  less  power,  than  any  other 
similar  machine,  while  the  knife  will  preserve  its  temper  and  edge 
for  a  longer  time.  Riehl's  Patent  Cutter  is  adapted  for  either 
hand  or  steam  power,  and  the  price  ranges  from  $150  to  $600, 
according  to  size.  Mr.  Howard  also  makes  Riehl's  improved 
Embossing  and  Mashing  Machines,  weight  3,800  Ibs.,  price  $600, 
his  Improved  Stamping  Press,  $150,  a  Paper-cutting  Machine 
for  Printers,  price  $150,  and  a  variety  of  other  similar  machinery. 
Bookbinders  and  Printers  throughout  the  country,  we  think, 
would  consult  their  interests  by  communicating  with  an  estab- 
lishment that  is  fully  equipped  and  prepared  to  supply  them  with 
improved  machinery  on  the  most  favorable  terms. 

The  manufacture  of  Printing  Presses  is  limited,  we  believe,  to 
the  well-known  Ramage  Press,  made  by  Mr.  Bronstrup,  and  to 
Dow  &  Co.'s  Card  and  Job  Press,  which  is  said  to  possess  great 
merit.  The  large  Power  Presses,  most  popular,  are  generally 
patented,  and  made  in  other  cities.  But  minor  articles  for 
Printers'  use  are  made  here  largely ;  as  Printers'  Furniture, 
Chases,  Rollers,  made  by  Mr.  Cosfeldt  and  others,  and  Brass 
Galleys,  Rules,  Stereotype  Blocks,  and  Rules  cut  to  Pica  eras, 


GAS    AND   WATER   APPARATUS.  321 

various  faces,  made  by  L.  JOHNSON  &   Co.,  who  furnish 
Printers'  supplies  generally. 

Lithographic  Ruling  Machines,  equal  to  the  imported,  are 
manufactured  by  Mr.  Saxe ;  and  Lithographic  and  Copper  Plate 
Presses,  Geometric  Lathes,  Hydraulic  and  Transfer  Presses,  and 
Engravers'  Machines  and  Tools  generally,by  GEORGE  C.HOWARD,* 
and  several  others. 

7.  GAS  AXD  WATER  APPARATUS. 
Philadelphia,  it  is  generally  known,  is  the  chief  seat  of  Gas- 
making  Machinery  in  the  "United  States.  Nearly  all  the  prin- 
cipal Gas  Works,  particularly  in  the  South  and  West,  besides 
Brooklyn,  Bnifalo,  Newport,  and  New  Bedford,  were  constructed 
or  enlarged  by  Philadelphia  machinists  ;  and  larger  Gas  Castings 
have  been  executed  in  foundries  in  this  city  than  in  any  other 
place — the  Gasholder  frame  of  the  Philadelphia  Works,  made 
by  Merrick  &  Sons,  being,  it  is  said,  the  largest  in  the  world. 
The  eminence  that  has  been  attained  in  this  branch  is,  no  doubt, 
due  largely  to  two  circumstances :  first,  the  advantages  of  Phila- 
delphia for  executing  heavy  castings  economically,  because  of  the 
abundance  and  cheapness  of  Coal  and  Iron ;  and  secondly,  be- 
cause there  are  establishments  in  this  city  better  provided  with 
patterns,  tools,  and  facilities  specially  adapted  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  Gas  Apparatus  than  any  others  in  the  United  States. 
Some  branches  of  the  manufacture,  which  are  now  of  great  im- 
portance, had  their  origin  here  ;  as,  for  instance,  the  manufacture 
of  Wrought  Iron  Tubes  and  Fittings,  first  undertaken  in  1836  by 
Morris,  Tasker  &  Morris,  the  predecessors  of  the  present  firm 
of  MORRIS,  TASKER  &  Co.,  who  are  undoubtedly  the  leading 

*  Mr.  GEORGE  C.  HOWAKD  ranks  among  the  most  ingenious,  reliable,  and 
honorable  of  Philadelphia  machinists.  For  some  years  he  has  made  all  the 
Bonnet  and  Hat  Pressing  Machines  used  in  Philadelphia.  His  establishment 
is  well -provided  with  tools  and  facilities  for  constructing  any  machinery  of 
moderate  size,  including  Machinists'  Tools,  Stationary  Engines,  Millwright 
Work,  &c.  ;  and  his  reputation  is  a  guarantee  that  whatever  he  undertakes 
to  do  will  be  well  done. 

Mr.  Howard  is  known  as  the  inventor's  friend ;  he  having  been  of  peculiar 
and  essential  service  to  inventors  in  making  their  drawings,  patterns,  &c., 
und  adapting  their  ideas  to  practical  results. 
26 


322  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

manufacturers  in  this  country  of  these  articles  and  Gas  Fitters' 
Tools,  while  they  make  also  Cast-iron  Gas  Pipes,  Gas-works 
Castings,  Retorts,  etc.  Since  this  house  commenced  the  manufac- 
ture of  Tubes,  to  the  expiration  of  the  first  quarter  of  the  present 
year,  they  made  30,788,000  feet  of  Tubes — the  smallest  amount 
made  in  any  one  year  being  60,000  feet,  in  1836  ;  and  the  largest, 
3,647,273  feet,  in  1855.* 

Gas  Pipes  are  also  made  at  another  establishment  in  Philadel- 

*  The  house  of  MORRIS,  TASKER  &  Co.  was  founded  in  1821,  by  Stephen 
P.  Morris,  who  commenced  the  manufacture  of  Coal  Grates,  Stoves,  and 
Smith-work  in  general,  at  the  corner  of  Market  and  Schuylkill  Seventh  sts., 
Philadelphia.  In  1828  he  removed  to  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Third  sts., 
where  a  foundry  was  put  in  operation,  and  the  business  greatly  extended. 
Not  long  afterward  he  was  joined  by  Henry  Morris  and  Thomas  T.  Tasker, 
under  the  firm  style  of  Morris,  Tasker  &  Morris.  In  1836  they  commenced 
the  erection  of  their  present  works,  known  as  the  "Pascal  Iron  Works,"  on 
South  Fifth  and  Franklin  sts.,  and  also  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
Wrought-iron  Tubes  and  Fittings  for  gas,  steam,  and  water,  being,  as  we 
stated  above,  the  first  of  the  kind  in  this  country.  Subsequently,  they 
added  to  these  the  manufacture  of  Cast-iron  Gas  and  Water  Mains,  Lap- 
welded  Flues  for  Boilers,  Gas  and  Steam-fitters'  Tools,  &c.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1856,  the  firm  style  of  Morris,  Tasker  &  Morris,  was  changed  to 
Morris,  Tasker  &  Co.,  and  is  now  composed  of  Stephen  Morris,  Thomas  T. 
Tasker,  Jr.,  Charles  Wheeler,  Jr.,  and  Stephen  P.  M.  Tasker.  In  their  works, 
which  have  been  extended  by  additions  until  they  cover  an  area  of  nearly 
four  acres,  about  400  men  are  usually  employed,  and  over  6,000  tons  of 
Anthracite  coal  alone  annually  consumed.  The  tools  used,  as  well  as  thoso 
made,  are  subjects  of  wonder  and  admiration ;  and  the  machinery,  as  may 
be  supposed,  is  of  the  most  perfect  description.  Water  is  furnished  for  the 
boilers  of  the  five  steam  engines  from  two  Artesian  wells ;  and  by  means 
of  hose  and  pipes,  communicating  with  tanks,  it  is  conveyed  to  every  room 
for  immediate  use  in  case  of  fire.  A  portion  of  the  iron  for  the  tubes  and 
flues  made  by  this  firm  is  prepared  in  a  mill  of  their  own  near  Fairmount, 
and  all  the  pipes  are  tested  by  an  hydraulic  pressure  of  at  least  300  Ibs.  to 
the  square  inch. 

Messrs.  Morris,  Tasker  &  Co.  are  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Apparatus  for  warming  public  and  private  buildings,  both  by  hot 
water  and  by  steam.  One  of  the  partners,  Mr.  Tasker,  is  the  inventor  of  a 
Self-regulating  Hot-water  Furnace,  by  which  the  temperature  in  a  house 
can  be  maintained  at  any  required  point  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time, 
without  further  attention  than  an  occasional  supply  of  coal.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Science  and  the  Arts,  constituted  by  the  Franklin  Institute,  have 


GAS   AND   WATER   APPARATUS.  323 

phia,  viz. :  at  the  Girard  Tube  Works,  of  which  MURPHY  &  ALLI- 
SON are  the  proprietors. 

Gas  Meters  are  made  by  five  firms  or  persons  in  Philadelphia ; 
the  principal  manufacturers,  however,  being  CODE,  HOPPER  &  Co., 
who  claim  the  credit  of  having  been  the  first  to  introduce  into 
this  country  the  manufacture  of  this  very  ingenious  instrument. 
This  house  is  the  oldest  and  most  extensive  in  the  United  States, 
having  made,  up  to  the  present  time,  over  one  hundred  thousand 
Gas  Meters,  wet  and  dry.  They  employ  constantly  more  than 
one  hundred  persons  directly  in  their  manufactory,  besides  a  large 
number  indirectly  outside  their  walls.  In  addition  to  every 
variety  of  Gas  Meters,  they  make  all  kinds  of  Gas  Apparatus, 
such  as  Photometers,  Minute  Clocks,  Pressure  Registers,  Indicators 
and  Gauges,  Exhausters,  Governors,  Meter  Provers,  Centre  Seals, 
&c.,  &c.  Every  part  of  the  meter  is  made  on  the  premises ;  to 
which  is  attached  a  foundry,  with  steam  power  and  the  most  ap- 
proved and  perfect  machinery, 

Portable  Gas  Works  for  generating  Gas  from  resin  or  oil  are  a 
comparatively  recent  invention  ;  but  the  manufacture  is  increasing 
in  importance.  The  apparatus  of  Messrs.  Stratton  &  Brother 
is  said  to  be  capable  of  making  100  cubic  feet  of  Gas  per  hour 
from  resin  :  one  pound  of  resin  making  nine  cubic  feet  of  Gas,  and 
one  burner  consuming  two  cubic  feet  per  hour.  One  and  a  half 
bushels  of  Anthracite  coal  will  supply  the  requisite  heat,  it  i« 
said,  to  make  500  cubic  feet  of  Gas. 

In  the  manufacture  of  Water  Works  Apparatus,  Philadelphia 
firms  have  been  as  successful  as  in  Gas-making  Machinery.  A 
number  of  Cornish  Pumping  Engines,  of  the  largest  size,  have 
been  constructed  by  I.  P.  Morris  &  Co.,  but  we  shall  defer  a 
mention  of  these  until  we  speak  of  Heavy  Machinery. 

reported  at  length  upon  its  peculiarities,  and  state  that  it  is  free  from  any  of 
the  disadvantages  to  which  Hot-air  Furnaces  ordinarily  are  subject. 

Within  the  last  few  years  they  have  also  introduced  Galvanized  Iron  Pipe 
for  water,  as  a  substitute  for  Lead  Pipe,  over  which  it  possesses  many  ad- 
vantages— such  as  strength,  durability,  and  economy,  and  is  rapidly  coming 
into  use. 

This  firm  has  contributed  materially  to  advancing  the  good  name  as  welJ 
as  fame  of  Philadelphia  Iron  Workers  throughout  the  Union. 


324  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

The  minor  articles  for  Gas  Works,  as  Stop-cocks,  Yalves,  Drip 
Pumps,  &c.,  are  made  at  several  establishments  ;  and  also  Cocks, 
Fire  Plugs,  &c.,  for  Water  Works,  Yalves  and  Pipes  for  Tanks 
at  Rail-road  Stations,  and  a  great  variety  of  articles  included  in 
the  term  Water  Apparatus. 

So  much  for  Special  Machinery.  If  we  were  to  elaborate  the 
subject,  and,  besides  referring  to  the  special  classes  of  machinery 
which  are  represented  by  special  establishments,  we  were  to  enu- 
merate also  the  articles  which  are  made  prominent  and  leading 
by  certain  general  machinists,  our  task  would  be  far  from  com- 
plete. Fan  Blowers  are  a  leading  article  of  manufacture  in  two 
establishments,  that  of  KISTEKBOCK  &  SON,  who  announce  Demp- 
fel's  Fan,  and  of  MANOAH  ALDEN,  who,  for  more  than  thirty 
years,  has  been  engaged  in  business  as  general  Machinist.  The 
Blower  of  which  Mr.  Alden  is  inventor  (it  has  been  established 
by  repeated  tests,  as  we  are  informed)  will  produce  a  stronger 
blast,  with  less  power,  and  less  noise,  and  less  liability  to  derange- 
ment than  those  of  any  other  construction.  His  Blowers  are 
now  in  use  in  nearly  all  the  large  foundries,  machine  shops,  and 
iron-working  establishments  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Alden,  during 
the  last  year,  has  also  made  for  the  inventor,  Mr.  Ager,  several 
Rice-cleaning  Machines,  which,  it  is  supposed,  are  superior  to 
any  others  ever  constructed  for  the  purposes  of  cleaning  rice  per- 
fectly without  damage  to  the  kernel.  Mint  Machinery  is  a  lead- 
ing article  of  manufacture  with  the  firm  of  MORGAN,  ORR  &  Co. , 
who  supplied  with  machinery  the  Branch  Mint  in  California,  and 
also  a  Mint  for  the  Peruvian  Government.  They  have  all  the 
requisite  patterns,  tools,  etc.,  for  doing  this  kind  of  work  success- 
fully, and  are  noted  for  their  fidelity  in  executing  orders. 
They  employ  on  an  average  seventy- five  hands.  Mining  Machinery 
is  made  at  several  establishments,  but  at  one,  of  which  THOMAS 
J.  CHUBB  is'proprietor,  it  is  a  leading  article.  Chubb's  Patent 
Pneumatic  Ore  Separators,  Crushers,  Drying  Cylinders,  Sifting 
Machines,  Elevators,  etc.,  it  is  expected,  will  supersede  all  ma- 
chinery now  in  use  for  the  same  purposes  ;  and,  if  so,  its  manufac- 
ture would  engross  the  capacity  of  all  the  machine-shops  at  pres- 
ent in  Philadelphia.  Bakehouse  Machinery  is  made  principally 


CUEIOUS   MACHINES.  325 

by  R.  J.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  who  has  patterns  for  cracker-making 
by  hand,  which,  it  is  supposed,  are  not  possessed  by  any  one  else 
in  the  United  States.  Brick  Machines  constitute  the  exclusive 
business  of  two  shops  ;  and  Braid,  Cord,  and  Whip-plaiting  Ma- 
chines are  made  at  the  establishments  of  P.  GOSPELDT  and 
CHARLES  DIEDRICHS.  The  first-named  has  had  thirty-three  years' 
experience  in  the  manufacture  of  these  curious  machines.  JAMES 
FLINN  &  Co.,  in  connection  with  Agricultural  Implements,  make 
Wood-boring,  Chamfering,  and  Wooden  Pin  Machines,  of  which 
they  are  said  to  be  sole  manufacturers.  At  the  present  time, 
Messrs.  HUNSWORTH,  EAKINS  &  Co.  are  making  what  it  is  be- 
lieved will  prove  to  be  a  very  successful  machine  for  driving 
Steam  Plows.  But  these  establishments,  and  the  others  that  we 
have  noticed,  with  but  few  exceptions,  are  provided  with  facilities 
for  constructing  a  great  variety  of  machinery  other  than  that  we 
have  designated  ;  and  therefore  they  are  properly  classified  among 
the  shops  for  the  manufacture  of  General  Machinery. 

We  had  hoped  to  conclude  this  chapter  with  a  list  of  all  the 
Machines  which  have  been  constructed  in  Philadelphia  since 
1850,  and  had  expended  considerable  time  and  money  in  prepar- 
ing it,  with  the  quantities  of  each,  when  we  discovered  that  circum- 
stances which  we  could  not  control — principally  apathy  on  the 
part  of  the  manufacturers — would  inevitably  defeat  its  complete- 
ness. Enough,  however,  was  done  to  inform  us  that  such  a  list 
would  prove  incontestibly  that  the  machine-shops  of  Philadelphia 
can  construct  almost  any  machine  which  the  genius  of  man  has 
invented  or  can  invent.  It  would  contain  a  number  of  machines, 
mysterious  and  almost  awe-inspiring  in  the  seeming  intelligence, 
concealed  in  arms  of  wood  and  fingers  of  steel,  which  directs 
their  automatic  movements.*  It  would  demonstrate,  moreover, 

•  A  chnpter,  describing  the  curious  machines  that  are  in  operation  in  the 
various  manufacturing  establishments  of  Philadelphia,  would  be  one  of  the 
most  interesting  we  could  insert,  if  our  space  were  not  preoccupied.  We 
can  only  say,  see  the  Card  Clothing  Machines  of  James  Smith  &  Co. :  the 
Paper  Bag  Machines  of  the  North  American  Paper  Bag  and  Envelope  Man- 
ufacturing Company;  the  Independent  Straight  Line,  made  by  P.  R.  Rece- 
veur,  and  in  operation  in  the  Watch  Case  ^establishment  of  T.  Esmonde 
Harper;  the  Planing  and  Moulding  Machines  in  the  Wood-working  estab- 
26* 


326  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

that  there  have  been  constructed  in  Philadelphia  some  of  the 
largest  Engines  and  Machines,  as  well  as  largest  Castings,  ever 
made  in  this  country.  But  this  point — the  capability  of  Phila- 
delphia to  construct  Machine-work  of  extraordinary  dimensions — 
can  be  successfully  established  without  any  very  extended  enu- 
meration of  particulars,  and  by  referring  to  a  few  of  the  products 
of  only  two  establishments — those  of  I.  P.  MORRIS  &  Co.  and 
MERRICK  &  SONS. 

At  the  "  Port  Richmond  Iron-Works,"  of  which  the  former  firm 
are  proprietors,  were  constructed  the  large  engines  of  the  U.  S. 
Mint ;  the  large  Steam  Engine  of  the  Lake  Erie  Steamer  Mis- 
sissippi, being  a  beam-engine,  with  a  cylinder  81  inches  diameter 
by  12  feet  stroke  of  piston;  two  Cornish  Bull  Pumping  Engines 
for  Buffalo  Water-Works,  each  having  steam  cylinders  50  inches 
diameter  by  10  feet  stroke ;  the  lever-beam  Cornish  Pumping  En- 
gine, steam  cylinder  60  inches  diameter,  10  feet  stroke,  at  the 
Schuylkill  Water-Works ;  the  Bull  Cornish  Pumping  Engine, 
cylinder  40  inches  diameter,  8  feet  stroke,  at  Camden,  N.  J., 
AVater-Works ;  and  the  Iron  Light-House  for  Ship  Shoal  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  be  put  up  on  screw  piles  in  water  15  feet  deep, 
and  at  a  distance  of  12  miles  from  land.  The  whole  height  of 
this  structure,  from  the  water  to  the  top  of  the  spire,  was  122 
feet,  and  from  water  to  focal  plain,  107 $  feet.  The  structure 
above  the  foundation  to  the  deck,  a  height  of  93  feet,  was  erected 
in  their  yard,  complete  in  all  its  parts,  before  shipping.  The 
Blowing  Machinery  for  the  Lackawanna  Coal  Co.  at  Scranton, 
probably  the  largest  ever  constructed,  the  dimensions  of  wkich 
were  given  on  a  previous  page,  was  built  at  these  Works. 
This  firm  also  constructed  the  large  Blowing  Machine  for  the 
Lehigh  Crane  Iron  Co.,  a  lever-beam  condensing  engine,  having 
a  steam  cylinder  58  inches  diameter,  10  feet  stroke  of  piston,  and 
a  blowing  cylinder  93  inches  diameter,  10  feet  stroke.  The  beam 
of  this  engine  works  on  a  column  of  cast  iron  30  feet  high,  and 
the  whole  is  set  upon  a  heavy  cast  iron  bed-plate.  They  also 

lishments;  the  machines  of  Alfred  Jenks  &  Son;  the  Uhlinger  Machines; 
the  Lathes,  Planers,  and  Borers  in  the  establishment  of  I.  P.  Morris  &  Co., 
Merrick  &  Sons,  J.  T.  Sutton  &  Co.,  William  Sellers  &  Co.,  and  Bernent  and 
Dougherty. 


EXTRAORDINARY    MACHINES.  327 

made  the  Direct-acting  High-pressure  Blowing  Machine  for  Sey 
fert,  McManus  &  Co.'s  furnace  at  Reading,  steam  cylinder  40 
inches  diameter,  blowing  cylinder  102  inches  diameter,  both  7 
feet  stroke  of  piston.  This  firm,  it  will  be  seen,  have  built  the 
largest  Engines  ever  constructed  for  making  Iron  with  Anthracite 
coal ;  besides  a  large  quantity  of  less  capacity,  but  which  rate 
among  first-class  machines. 

At  the  "  Southwark  Foundry,"  of  which  MERRICK  &  SONS  are 
proprietors,  were  constructed  the  great  Iron  Pile  Light-Houses 
illuminating  the  Florida  coast,  stationed  at  Sand  Key,  Gary's 
Fort  Reef,  Coffin's  Patches,  Rebecca  Shoal,  N.  W.  Channel,  Dry 
Tortugas,  as  also  those  on  Brandywine  Shoal  (Delaware  Bay) 
and  the  harbor  of  Chicago,  besides  iron  lanterns  for  Cape  Hat- 
teras,  Cape  Florida,  &c.,  and  beacons  for  other  points.  The 
first  three  are  among  the  largest  in  the  world,  being  respect- 
ively 120  feet,  112  feet,  and  137  feet  high  (water  to  focal  plane), 
and  50  feet  square,  50  feet  diameter,  56  feet  diameter  at  the 
base  respectively,  and  weighing  from  250  to  300  tons  each. 
This  firm  made  the  great  Gasholder  frame  for  the  Philadelphia 
Works  (the  largest  in  the  world),  being  used  for  a  gasometer  160 
feet  in  diameter  ;  it  weighs  about  one  thousand  tons,  consisting 
of  twelve  Gothic  pentagonal  iron  towers,  90  feet  high,  braced 
apart  by  girders  36  feet  long  and  8  feet  deep,  ornamented  Gothic, 
and  weighing  eighteen  tons  each  in  one  piece.  At  this  shop  were 
made  the  140  feet  Gasometer  and  framing  for  the  same  Works 

This  firm  constructed  almost  all  the  machinery  for  the  steamers 
of  the  U.  S.  Navy  ;  among  which  may  be  specified  the  Mississippi, 
paddle,  two  side-lever  engines  of  500  horse  power ;  Princeton, 
screw,  two  oscillating-piston  engines  of  300  horse  power ;  San 
Jacinto,  screw,  two  geared-engines  of  450  horse  power ;  Wabash, 
screw,  two  direct-acting  engines  of  800  horse  power.  Of  these, 
the  former  is  too  generally  known  to  need  any  comment,  and  the 
latter  is  confessedly  the  finest  of  her  class  in  the  world.  Here 
also  were  made  the  boilers  of  the  TJ.  S.  Steamers  Susquehanna 
and  Saranac,  800  horse  power  each  ;  the  machinery  for  the  sur- 
veying steamer  Corwin  ;  machinery  and  hull  (iron)  for  the  survey- 
ing steamer  Search;  and,  for  private  parties,  the  machinery  of 
the  Keystone  State,  paddle,  400  horse  power,  State  of  Georgia, 


328  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

paddle,  350  horse  power,  Quaker  City,  paddle,  450  horse  power, 
Phineas  Sprague,  screw,  250  horse  power,  Alfonso  and  Cardenas, 
screws,  215  horse  power  each,  and  others. 

For  pumping  purposes,  the  same  firm  constructed  the  great  iron 
Elevating  Wheel  at  Chesapeake  City,  Md.,  for  feeding  the  canal. 
This  wheel  is  38  feet  diameter,  12  feet  wide,  driven  by  two  condens- 
ing engines  of  great  power,  and  elevates  two  millions  of  gallons 
sixteen  feet  high  each  hour.  More  recently,  for  the  Midlothian 
Coal  Mining  Company  in  Virginia,  they  made  a  sixty-inch  beam 
Cornish  Engine,  with  one  "draw"  and  three  "forcing"  lifts,  each 
fourteen  inches  diameter,  ten  feet  stroke,  which  pumps  one  million 
gallons  per  day  from  a  coal  pit  710  feet  deep.  They  are  exten- 
sive manufacturers  of  Engines  and  Sugar  Mills  for  Louisiana  and 
Cuba,  and  are  exclusive  makers  of  the  N.  Rillieux  Patent  Sugar- 
Boiling  Apparatus,  by  which  white  sugar  is  made  directly  from 
the  cane  juice ;  in  Cuba  by  the  bagasse  alone,  and  in  Louisiana 
by  one-half  the  fuel  ordinarily  required.  They  are  also  sole 
manufacturers  of  Nasmyth's  Steam  Hammers  in  this  country,  and 
have  built  all  sizes,  from  five  hundred  pounds  to  six  tons  weight  of 
ram,  and  up  to  seven  feet  drop  or  fall. 

In  conclusion  it  may  be  said  of  both  these  establishments,  that 
excellence  of  material,  solidity,  and  admirable  fitting  of  the  joints, 
a  just  proportion  and  arrangement  of  the  parts,  and  a  certain  ap- 
pearance of  thoroughness  and  genuineness,  are  qualities  that  per- 
vade the  machine  work  executed  by  them. 

We  pass  to  the  third  and  last  division  of  the  Manufactures  of 
Iron,  viz.  :  Hardware  and  Tools. 

XXI 

Iron  Manufactures  Concluded— Hardware  and  Tools. 

The  term  Hardware  is  one  of  those  indefinite,  comprehensive 
nouns  of  multitude,  of  which  it  may  be  said  that  it  almost  includes, 
as  its  name  imports,  every  ware  that  is  hard.  Popularly,  it  is 
understood  to  embrace  all  the  unclassified  manufactures  of  Iron 
and  Steel,  including  all  the  appendages  of  the  mechanic  arts, 
from  a  file  to  a  mill-saw  ;  many  of  the  details  of  common  life,  from 
a  rat-trap  to  a  coach-spring,  articles  as  various  in  appearance, 


HARDWARE   AND   TOOLS — SAWS.  329 

size,  and  uses  as  can  well  be  conceived — in  fact,  whatever  is  sold 
by  a  Hardware  dealer.  In  view  of  the  almost  infinite  variety  of 
articles  included  in  the  term,  almost  all  of  which  are  made  in 
Philadelphia,  the  utmost  that  we  can  hope  to  accomplish  is  to 
exhibit  the  state  of  the  business  in  its  leading  branches,  as  in  the 
manufacture  of  Saws,  Forks,  Shovels,  Files,  Locks,  Soils,  Eivets, 
Scales  and  Balances,  Edge  Tools  and  Cutlery. 

If  we  were  to  consider  the  classes  of  articles  designated  as 
Hardware,  in  the  order  of  their  relative  reputation  abroad,  we 
would  come  first  to  SAWS.  Every  country  merchant,  as  well  as 
every  wood-worker,  is  familiar  with  the  excellence  of  Rowland's 
Saws,  Cresson's  Saws,  Disston's  Saws,  and  Conaway's  Saws — all 
Philadelphia  makers.  The  works  now  known  as  Rowland's  Saw 
Works  were  founded  by  William  Rowland  in  1802,  and  are  be- 
lieved to  be  the  oldest  established  of  the  kind  in  this  country. 
They  have  supplied,  and  continue  to  supply,  a  large  proportion  of 
the  large-sized  Saws  in  use,  Mill  and  Cross-cut,  varying  in  length 
from  six  to  eighteen  feet.  About  fifty  hands  are  engaged  in  this 
establishment,  and  two  hundred  Saws  are  produced  daily. 

The  works  of  WALTER  CRESSOX  are  located  beyond  the  city 
limits,  at  Conshohoeken,  in  Montgomery  County,  but  the  business 
is  transacted  exclusively  at  the  warehouse  on  Commerce  street.* 
The  material  employed  is  mostly  cast-steel,  manufactured  in  En- 
gland expressly  for  Mr.  Cresson,  and  rolled  under  his  orders  to 
proper  thickness,  and  cut  into  sheets  of  convenient  size.  For 
making  Circular  Saws,  Mill  Saws,  and  Cross-cut  Saws,  it  is  im- 
ported trimmed  to  the  size  and  shape  required.  Among  the  pro- 
ductions of  this  establishment  are  a  great  variety  of  Hand  Saws, 
Circular  Saws,  Back  Saws,  Wood  Saws,  Mill  and  Cross-cut  Saws, 
Hay  Knives,  Loom  Springs,  and  other  Tools.  His  Saws  have 

•  The  factory  of  Mr.  Cresson  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  August  17th,  1854, 
but  was  immediately  rebuilt  on  an  enlarged  scale.  The  energy  of  the  proprie- 
tor was  peculiarly  illustrated  on  that  occasion,  for  even  while  the  fire  was 
stall  burning,  he  rented  an  old  foundry,  fitted  it  up,  and  on  the  next  day  set 
his  men  to  work  in  it.  In  three  months  the  new  factory  was  completed, 
and  in  full  operation.  The  whole  of  the  machinery  of  this  establishment  is 
driven  by  water  obtained  from  the  Schuylkill  Canal,  and  applied  by  one  of 
Journal's  Turbine  Wheels. 


330  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

repeatedly  received  the  highest  commendation  from  competent 
judges  for  their  finish  and  make. 

The  "Keystone  Works,"  of  which  Mr.  HENRY  DISSTON  is  pro- 
prietor, are  probably  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  the  country. 
They  consist  of  four  buildings — three  of  them  three  stories  high, 
and  cover  an  area  of  over  20,000  square  feet.  The  Machinery  is 
of  the  most  complete  description,  and  driven  by  an  engine  of 
seventy-horse  power.  The  Saws  made  at  this  establishment  com- 
prise nearly  every  variety,  though  principally  Cast-steel  Circular, 
Hand,  and  Panel  Saws,  all  of  which  are  tempered  by  Sylvester's 
Patent  Tempering  Machine,  and  the  Circular  Saws  are  ground 
by  Southwell's  Patent  Grinding  Machine.  Among  the  novelties 
produced  in  this  establishment  might  be  mentioned,  the  Patent 
Combination  Saw,  comprising  a  perfect  twenty-four  inch  square, 
straight  edge,  twenty-four  inch  rule  and  scratch-awl,  and  a  hand- 
saw, with  a  patent  attachment  for  gauging  any  required  depth. 
Mr.  Disston  employs  one  hundred  and  fifty  hands. 

The  "  Union  Saw  and  Tool  Manufactory,"  402  Cherry  street, 
of  which  Mr.  WM.  CONAWAY  is  proprietor,  is  also  a  well-known 
establishment,  and  produces,  besides,  all  kinds  of  Saws,  Trowels, 
Curriers'  Knives,  Carpenters'  Gauges,  etc.  BRINGHURST  &  VER- 
REE  also  manufacture  Saws  extensively. 

Besides  these  celebrated  makers,  there  are  five  others  who  make 
Saws  to  some  extent,  viz. :  THOMAS  GAMBLE,  J.  HUGEL,  CHARLES 
LAME,  JOSEPH  NICHOLLS,  and  JAMES  TURNER. 

2.  FORKS.  There  are  four  principal  establishments  in  Phila- 
delphia for  the  manufacture  of  Forks,  viz. :  SHEBLE,  LAWSON  & 
FISHER,  MYERS  &  ERVEIN,  RIDGWAY  &  RUFE,  and  HARPER  & 
HOLT.  The  oldest  of  these  establishments  is  the  one  represented 
by  the  last-named  firm.  Messrs.  RIDGWAY  &  RUFE  have  a  fac- 
tory at  Germantown,  where  they  also  make  Coffee-mills,  Shutter 
Bolts,  &c.  Messrs.  MYERS  &  ERVEIN  commenced  the  manufac- 
ture of  Forks  in  184T.  Their  establishment  is  well  equipped 
with  machinery,  and  their  manufactures,  which  comprise  all  the 
usual  varieties  of  Hay  and  Manure  Forks,  including  Sluice  Forks, 
a  peculiar  article  for  miners'  use,  have  a  good  reputation.  The 
youngest  of  these  establishments  is  that  of  SHEBLE,  LAWSON  <fe 


FORKS,    SHOVELS,  FILES.  331 

FISHER  ;  but  its  annual  production  is  now  supposed  to  exceed 
that  of  any  other  Fork  Factory  iu  the  Union.  Previous  to  its 
establishment  in  1851,  the  Eastern  manufacturers  almost  monopo- 
lized the  Philadelphia  market;  but,  at  the  present  time,  city  Forks 
are  so  generally  preferred,  that  special  inducements  alone  can 
effect  a  sale  of  Eastern,  or  even  New  York  made  goods.  In  less 
than  five  years,  the  demand  for  Forks  of  this  firm's  manufacture  so 
far  exceeded  the  ability  of  their  works  at  Fairmount  to  supply  it, 
that,  in  1856,  they  erected  new  and  more  extensive  works  on  the 
Frankford  Creek.  They  have  now  five  Trip  Hammers,  run  eleven 
Polishing  Machines,  and  employ  forty-five  hands.  Their  manu- 
factures embrace  a  greater  variety  of  Forks  than  any  similar  es- 
tablishment known  to  us  iu  the  Union,  and  include  every  kind  or 
style — Hay,  Manure,  Spading  Forks  and  Spading  Hoes — Forks 
for  manufacturing  purposes,  as  Glue,  White  Lead,  Bone,  Coke, 
&c. — in  a  word,  Forks  from  two  to  twelve  tines  from  the  solid 
piece,  and  varying  in  price  from  $2  to  $50  per  dozen.  Spading 
Forks  and  Hoes  are  new  articles  in  this  country  ;  but  the  improve- 
ments made  in  them  by  the  above  firm,  have  brought  them  into 
use  in  place  of  the  old  style  Spade  and  Hoe  for  agricultural  pur- 
poses. 

Forks  are  now  exported  from  Philadelphia  to  England. 

3.  Of  Shovels  and  Spades  there  are  six  principal  manufacturers, 
having  a  capital  invested  exceeding  a  quarter  of  million  of  dollars, 
and  producing  annually  about   85,000  dozen  of  Shovels,  worth, 
at  $6  per  dozen,  $510,000.     The  machinery  employed  in  these 
establishments  is  of  the  most  perfect  description,  and  the  manu- 
factured product  is  equal  in  quality  to  the  best  made  in  the  coun- 
try, and  far  better  than  the  Shovels  imported.     The  raw  material 
is  mainly  American  iron  and  steel,  though  a  share  of  the  English 
metal  is  used. 

4.  FILES.     These  articles,  which  are  of  the  first  importance  to 
all  workers  in  metal,  are  made  at  nine  establishments  in  this  city ; 
and  it  is  said  another,  upon  a  large  scale,  will  soon  go  into  ope- 
ration.    Rasps  are  made  here  more  cheaply  than  in  Europe,  ex- 
cept the  large  sizes,  where  the  price  of  steel  may  affect  the  cost  of 
the  manufactured  article.     The  Files  made  include  every  variety, 


I 

332  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

from  those  used  by  jewelers,  dentists,  and  watchmakers,  to  those 
required  by  metal-workers  in  heavy  operations.* 

5.  LOCKS.  It  is  claimed  and,  we  believe,  conceded,  that  the 
ingenuity  and  enterprise  of  American  mechanics  have  placed  this 
department  in  advance  of  the  efforts  of  all  other  nations.  In  the 
finer  and  more  expensive  class  of  Locks,  it  has  been  abundantly 
proved  that  the  American  production  is  superior  to  any  other ; 
while  in  Locks,  Latches,  &c.,  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  builder 
or  to  commerce,  the  American  mechanic  supplies  the  home  de- 
mand ;  and,  to  some  extent,  orders  from  abroad. 

In  Philadelphia  there  are  a  large  number  of  very  ingenious  Lock- 
smiths, who  provide  every  variety  of  fastening  essential  for  the 
security  of  dwellings,  &c.  The  business  is  usually  carried  on  in 
connection  with  Bell-hanging,  Silver  Plating,  &c.  ;  but  the  de- 
mand for  special  and  patented  Locks  furnishes  occupation  to 
several  special  Lock-making  establishments.  One  manufacturer* 
Mr.  CONRAD  LEIBRICH,  employs  forty-five  bands,  and  makes 
twenty-one  different  Spring  Locks  of  his  own  invention,  besides  a 
great  variety  of  Pad  and  Door  Locks,  Night  Latches,  &c.  The 
Scandinavian  Padlock  for  stores,  &c.,  it  is  claimed,  is  perfect 
protection  against  burglars.  But  probably  the  most  remarkable 
Lock  of  modern  times  is  the  Permutation  Bank  and  Safe  Lock 
made  by  L.  YALE,  JR.,  &  Co.,  at  248  Front  Street.  The  manu- 
facturer, Mr.  Yale,  it  will  be  remembered,  picked  the  "Parau- 
toptic,"  or  great  Hobbs'  Lock,  which  the  English  Locksmiths 
had  unsuccessfully  attempted ;  he  having  previously  picked  most 
of  the  celebrated  Locks  of  the  day.  His  Permutation  Lock, 

•  The  largest  File-making  establishment  in  the  city,  and  we  believe  in 
the  State,  is  that  of  J.  B.  SMITH,  on  New  street.  The  goods  manufactured 
by  him  embrace  every  description  of  Files  and  Rasps,  from  the  smallest  to 
the  largest,  and  from  the  finest  to  the  coarsest,  a  large  portion  consisting 
of  kinds  not  generally  imported.  The  popularity  of  his  Shoe  Rasp  has  in- 
duced unscrupulous  persons  to  import  from  Europe  a  worthless  imitation, 
which  is  strong  evidence  of  the  superiority  of  his  manufacture.  These 
Rasps  of  his  manufacture  are  extensively  used  in  New  England,  as  well  as 
throughout  the  Union.  He  is  likewise  manufacturing  an  improved  descrip- 
tion of  Saw  File,  which  is  said  to  be  of  unrivaled  excellence.  Mr.  S.  is  a 
practical  File-maker  of  thirty-five  years  experience,  and  is  therefore  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  every  department.  Some  of  the  best  workmen  in 
the  United  States  have  graduated  at  this  establishment. 


HARDWARE    AND    TOOLS — LOCKS.  333 

which  may  now  justly  be  regarded  as  more  secure  than  any  other 
in  the  world,  is  distinguished  by  several  important  improvements 
It  is  entirely  without  springs,  those  most  fruitful  sources  of  fail- 
ure in  fine  locks.  The  tumblers,  or  security  parts,  are  so  placed  in 
the  Lock  that  they  never  can  be  seen,  or  felt  by  any  picking 
tool,  nor  can  powder  ever  affect  them.  The  key  is  small,  and  can 
be  conveniently  carried  in  the  wallet ;  yet  its  permutations  are  so 
numerous,  that  a  lifetime  is  not  long  enough  to  ring  all  its  changes. 

Their  latest  improvement  is  their  Double  Treasury  Lock,  in 
which  two  Locks  are  so  combined  as  to  control  the  same  main 
bolt.  On  locking  both  sides,  the  bolt  is  securely  locked  out; 
but  on  unlocking  either  side,  the  door  can  be  opened.  Hence, 
in  daily  use,  one  side  only  is  used ;  but,  in  case  of  losing  the  key 
or  other  accident,  instead  of  being  compelled  to  cut  down  the 
door,  as  in  ordinary  cases,  the  reserved  key,  on  being  applied  to 
the  other  side,  will  open  the  door  at  once.  They  offer  $3,000  to 
any  one  who  can  pick  or  force  this  Lock,  which,  for  strength  of 
material  and  beauty  of  workmanship,  is  unsurpassed.  This  firm 
also  manufacture  Bank  Vaults  and  Safes,  which  are  worthy  of 
the  Lock  that  secures  them.  Constructed  of  hard,  chilled  iron, 
cast  around  a  basket-work  of  wrought  iron  rods,  they  are  proof 
against  drills,  cutters,  or  sledge  hammers,  and  are  seemingly  burglar- 
proof.  The  Treasury  Department  has  adopted  their  work,  and 
their  customers  are  found  in  every  State  in  the  Union. 

Excellence  of  workmanship,  lowness  of  price,  and  adequate 
security  characterize  the  Lock  Manufactures  of  Philadelphia.* 

•(•  The  Locksmiths  and  Bell  Hangers  of  Philadelphia  include  some  of  her 
most  ingenious  mechanics.  Mr.  HOCHSTBASSEB  is  called  upon  in  all  des- 
perate cases.  Mr.  P.  RODGEBS  hns  made  a  beautiful,  rabbeted  mortice 
Front-door  Lock,  which  was  ordered  from  Paris.  Mr.  J.  B.  SHANNON,  on 
Sixth  street,  has  attained  considerable  distinction  in  this  branch  of  busi- 
ness, making  largely  for  first-class  dwellings  and  public  institutions.  He 
»as  constructed  Locks  for  a  large  number  of  Insane  Asylums,  where  they 
»re  wanted  in  sets,  to  differ  from  each  other,  and  yet  to  be  passed  by  a 
master  key  by  the  superintendents,  watchmen,  and  others.  Similar  Locks 
are  also  applied  to  dwellings ;  and  one  member  of  a  family  may  have  a  key 
which  will  open  all  the  chambers  and  closets,  and  yet  the  respective  keys 
of  the  doors  will  not  open  any  except  the  one  to  which  it  belongs. 

Bells  are  so  arranged  in  dwellings,  by  Mr.  Shannon,  that  a  person  taken 
eick  may  communicate  the  need  of  help  to  any  other  part  of  the  h^use. 
InvalMs  can  thus  dispense  with  constant  attendance. 
27 


*  .  . 

834  PHILADELPHIA     AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

6.  BOLTS,  RIVETS,  WOOD   SCREWS,  NUTS  AND  WASHERS. — 
These  articles  have  been  made  until  within  a  few  years  by  hand, 
but  the  consumption  increasing  so  considerably  in  consequence  of 
the  multiplicity  of  Railroads,  Mines,  etc.,  required  that  they  should 
be  produced  in  a  more  expeditious  manner,  and  at  cheaper  rates. 
HOOPES  &  TOWNSEND,  of  this  city,  were  among  the  first  to  enter 
into  this  as  a  separate  business,  and  after  several  years  experience 
are  now  able  to  supply  the  wants  of  Railroad  Companies,  Machin- 
ists, Car  Builders,  Bridge  Builders,  and  others,  with  articles  of 
this  description,  peculiarly  adapted  to  their  several  purposes,  as 
to  strength,  durability,  finish,  &c. 

They  claim  a  great  advantage  for  their  product  over  baud 
work  on  account  of  its  uniformity,  and  also  superiority  over 
much  of  the  Eastern  work,  both  because  the  material  used  is  of 
superior  quality,  and  because  it  is  made  expressly  for  the  pur- 
pose for  which  it  is  employed.  Their  facilities  are  such  as  enable 
them  to  turn  out  a  large  amount  of  work,  and  their  products  have 
a  reputation  abroad  as  well  as  at  home. 

7.  RIVETS.     These  articles  may  be  said  to  occupy  the  same 
relative  position  to  iron  that  nails  do  to  wood.     To  a  person  not 
familiar  with  their  uses,  the  quantities  consumed  in  various  con- 
structions must  seem  incredible.     In  the  Iron  Light-House  made 
for  the  Ship  Shoal  Reef,  Florida,  some  six  tons  of  Rivets  were 
used,  all  of  which   were  furnished  by  the  "  Philadelphia  Rivet 
Works."     In  a  first-class  freight  engine,  the  boilers  and  fire-boxes 
will  use  about  2,000  Rivets,  weighing  about  500  Ihs. ;  and  the 
tender  will  require  about  150  Ibs.  of  Rivets  of  smaller  diameter. 
The  Point  Breeze  Gasholder,  the  largest  in  the  world,  used  about 
one  million   of   Rivets — the  gasometer  alone  having  consumed 
about  six  tons  of  Button-head  Rivets.     The  principal  firm  in  this 
manufacture  in  Philadelphia  is  PHILLIPS  &  ALLEN,  proprietors 
of  the  "Philadelphia  Rivet  Works,"  and  they  can  produce  about 
five  tons  of  Boiler  Rivets  per  day,  and  about  3,000  Ibs.  of  smaller 
sizes.* 

•  Messrs.  PHILLIPS  &  ALLEN,  we  may  remark,  are  fully  sensible  of 
the  very  great  importance  of  using  only  the  best  materials  in  the  con- 
struction of  Rivets,  particularly  Boiler  Rivets.  They  employ  the  severest 
Vests  to  prove  the  quality  of  all  iron  used  by  them.  The  Rivet  being  maJo 


SCALES    AND    BALANCES.  335 

8.  SCALES  and  BALANCES.  Eminence  in  the  manufacture  of 
Scales  and  Balances,  we  are  quite  sensible,  presupposes,  in  the 
manufacturer,  very  considerable  mechanical  skill,  fidelity  in  execu- 
tion, and  taste  and  accuracy  in  workmanship.  It  is  a  branch, 
moreover,  in  which  Philadelphia  makers  hold,  and  have  always  held, 
the  leading  position.  Some  of  the  finest  specimens  of  Balances 
in  use,  every  one  will  admit,  are  the  product  of  the  establish- 
ments of  F.  Meyer  &  Co.,  and  their  former  parlner  and  present 
successor,  HENRY  TROEMNER.  Mr.  Troemner  constructed  all  the 
Balances,  Weights,  etc.,  required  for  the  U.  S.  Mint,  Custom 
Houses,  and  Repositories,  and  several  Scales  for  the  Mexican 
Mint.  Some  of  the  Balances  made  for  the  Assay  Office  in  New 
York,  and  for  the  Branch  Mint  of  San  Francisco,  cost  as  much 
as  $1,000,  and  one  made  several  years  ago  cost  $1,250.  Besides 
Balances  like  these,  which  must  turn  with  the  thousandth  part  of 
a  grain,  Mr.  Troemner  constructs  Patent  Balances  that  will  weigh 
twelve  tons.  His  manufactures  comprise  Mint  Balances,  Bankers' 
Scales,  Jewelers',  Druggists',  Grocers',  Confectioners'  Scales,  &c. 
— in  fact,  any  kind  required  for  weighing  purposes.  Nearly  all 
the  Banks  in  this  city,  New  York,  and  other  places,  have  his 
Scales  in  use. 

red  hot,  is  hammered  equally  when  it  is  hot  and  cold ;  and  should  the  qual- 
ity of  the  iron  change  from  fibrous  to  a  crystalline  character,  the  iron  is 
regarded  as  worthless,  as  the  force  of  contraction  upon  cooling  would  pull 
off  the  head  of  the  rivet. 

For  Boiler  Rivets  this  firm  employ  four  machines,  which  convert  the  bar 
iron,  purposely  rolled  for  them  (heated  in  coke,  in  order  not  to  impair  its 
quality)  into  Rivets.  These  machines  are  of  their  own  make — and  cut  off 
the  lengths,  and  shape  and  head  them  at  one  operation.  For  smaller  Rivets 
the  best  charcoal  iron-wire  is  used,  as  the  lengths  and  diameters  must  be 
exceedingly  accurate.  The  machines  are  most  carefully  built  and  managed. 
After  the  Wire  Rivets  are  made  they  are  annealed,  which  allows  them  to  be 
driven  cold,  or  headed  with  ease.  Their  customers  are  the  principal  machine 
ehops  in  the  United  States,  among  them  Messrs.  I.  P.  Morris  &  Co.  Messrs. 
S.  V.  Merrick  &  Sons,  Reaney,  Neafie  &  Co.,  Baldwin  &  Co.,  and  Norris,  Phil- 
adelphia; Messrs.  Harlan  &  Hollingsworth,  of  Wilmington,  &c.,  &c. ;  and 
the  well-known  reputation  of  these  establishments  would  seem  to  be  a  suffi- 
cient guarantee  for  the  excellence  of  their  work.  They  furnish  every  kind 
of  rivet,  from  eight  inches  long  by  any  diameter,  to  the  smallest  wire 
sizes. 


336  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

There  are  two  firms  engaged  almost  exclusively  in  making  Plat- 
form-Scales, viz.: — ABBOTT  &  Co.  and  A.  B.  DAVIS  &  Co.  Mr. 
Thomas  Ellicott,  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Ellicott  &  Abbott,  of 
which  Abbott  &  Co.  are  successors,  is  accredited  with  the  distinc- 
tion of  having  made  the  first  Platform-Scale  in  the  world.  It  was 
made  in  1825,  for  the  New  York  Coal  Company,  and  continued  in 
use  until  1850,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  factory  of  Abbott  &  Co., 
where  it  now  is.  This  firm  recently  made  a  Track-Scale  that  will 
weigh  one  hundred  tons,  entirely  of  iron,  for  the  Little  Schuylkill 
Railroad.  But  the  largest  Scale  probably  ever  made  in  the  coun- 
try was  made,  not  long  since,  by  A.  B.  DAVIS  &  Co.  of  this  city, 
for  the  Pennsylvania  Rail-road,  at  Columbia.  It  is  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  feet  in  length,  and  will  weigh  two  hundred  tons. 
Three  others,  constructed  for  the  same  firm  by  the  same  road,  were 
eighty  feet  each  in  length.  For  the  Mine  Hill  Rail-road,  Messrs. 
Davis  &  Co.  constructed  a  Scale  of  one  hundred  and  twelve  feet 
long ;  and  for  the  Baltimore  and  Wilmington,  and  Reading  and 
other  Rail-roads,  they  have  made  some  Scales  remarkable  both  for 
size  and  accuracy.  Their  achievements  entitle  them  to  rank 
among  the  leading  Platform-Scale  makers  in  this  country.* 

9.  EDGE  TOOLS  AND  CUTLERY.  For  the  manufacture  of  Edge 
and  Hand  Tools  there  are  two  principal  establishments  in  this  city, 
and  four  others  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  whose  products  are  sold 
here  exclusively.  The  number  of  men  employed  is  stated  at  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five,  and  the  annual  product  at  $127,000.  The 
Edge  Tools  made  in  this  city  are  of  good  material,  well  finished, 
and  believed  to  be  fully  equal  to  any  made. 

The  branch  in  which  Philadelphia  has  attained  peculiar  distinc- 
tion is  the  manufacture  of  Braces  and  Bills  and  Carpenters'  Tools. 
In  nearly  every  report  of  articles  exhibited  at  fairs  within  the  last 
few  years,  one  may  find  terms  like  the  following,  which  is  taken  from 
the  Franklin  Institute  Report  for  1856  : — "Braces  and  Bills,  Saw 
Pads,  Spoke  Shaves,  and  other  light  tools,  by  BOOTH  &  MILLS, 
Philadelphia.  Excellent  quality,  good  workmanship,  and  reason- 
able  in  price. — A  First  Class  Premium." 

*  Mr.  Davis  is  also  an  inventor,  having  just  patented  a  Corn  Sheller,  hav- 
ing an  endless  picker  chain  working  over  an  angular  bar-grate.  This  machine 
has  been  highly  recommended  as  well  adapted  for  the  West  and  South,  au<i 
other  corn-growing  districts. 


CARPENTERS'  TOOLS — RIFLES  AND  PISTOLS.          337 

This  firm,  BOOTH  &  MILLS,  are  the  successors  of  T.  E.  Wells 
&  Co.,  who  received  the  prize  medal  at  the  London  World's  Fair ; 
and  the  workmanship  which  was  awarded  that  high  distinction  over 
Sheffield  and  Birmingham,  was  executed,  in  part  at  least,  by  the 
members  of  the  present  firm.  In  1857,  the  American  Institute 
in  New  York  awarded  them  a  prize  medal ;  arid  it  would  seem 
that,  by  the  consent  of  experts  and  good  judges,  both  in  England 
and  in  the  United  States,  they  are  unsurpassed,  if  equaled,  in  the 
production  of  these  important  tools.  They  claim  that  the  best  or 
first  quality  of  their  manufactures  is  both  cheaper  arid  better  than 
any  imported.  The  mode  of  tempering  adopted  by  them  is  said  to 
be  specially  remarkable  for  its  durability;  and  the  stocks  of  their 
tools  are  certainly  noteworthy  for  their  elegance.  Their  manufac- 
tures comprise  Braces  and  Cast-steel  Bitts,  Squares,  Bevils,  Spoke- 
shaves,  Turnscrews,  Saw-pads,  Pricker-pads,  Cast-steel  Gimlets, 
&c.  They  are  sole  manufacturers  of  T.  E.  Wells  &  Co.'s  Braces, 
Bitts,  &c.;  also,  Patent  Anti-friction  Braces.  They  employ  about 
twenty  hands. 

Cutlery  is  made  by  several  firms,  and  of  a  very  excellent  quality. 
Gilchrist's  Razors,  Clarenbach  &  Herder's  Shears  and  Scissors,  and 
Richardson's  Table  Cutlery,  are  all  celebrated  makes.  Cutlery  is 
also  made  by  the  manufacturers  of  Surgical  Instruments,  to  whom 
we  will  subsequently  refer.  At  Beverly,  N.  J.,  there  was  a  company 
lately  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  knives  and  forks,  and  their 
products  were  sold  principally  in  this  city. 

10.  RIFLES  and  PISTOLS  are  made  quite  extensively,  and  in  quali- 
ty equal  to  the  best  in  the  world.  The  barrels  are  either  imported  or 
made  at  Reading,  and  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania — a  con- 
siderable trade  being  done  in  barrels  alone.  One  manufacturer 
claims  that  he  can  make  a  Pistol  for  sixty  dollars,  that  will  hit  a 
horse  at  nine  hundred  yards.  Generals  Henningsen  and  Walker 
provided  themselves  with  a  pair  each,  previous  to  embarking  on 
their  memorable  expedition  to  Nicaragua.  Orders  are  now  being 
executed  for  Rifles  with  solid  gold  and  silver  mountings,  chased 
stocks,  &c.,  the  cost  to  the  purchasers  being  two  hundred  dollars 
each.  During  the  last  year  Messrs.  Sharp  &  Co.  erected  a  very 
extensive  and  complete  rifle  factory  at  Fairmount,  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  their  celebrated  Rifle  and  Pistol".  (  For  a  description  see 
27* 


338  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

APPENDIX.)  At  the  Arsenal  at  Bridesburg,  under  the  superintend  • 
ence  of  a  very  ingenious  and  courteous  gentleman,  Major  Hagner,  a 
great  variety  of  very  remarkable  and  ingenious  machinery  is  employ- 
ed in  converting  Muskets  into  Rifles,  making  Percussion-caps,  &c. 
11.  WIRE  WORK  of  all  kinds,  plain  and  fancy,  particularly 
Wire  Sieves,  Wire  Cloth,  Screens,  &c.,  is  made  very  extensively 
at  about  a  dozen  establishments.  The  iron  wire  is  principally  ob- 
tained from  Easton,  Pa.,  and  from  Trenton,  N.  J.,  and  woven,  in 
this  city,  into  every  article  into  which  wire  can  be  twisted.  The 
Philadelphia  goods  are  of  a  most  substantial  character,  the  av- 
erage quality  being  acknowledged  by  all  to  be  superior  to  tho 
New  England  make,  and  command  readily  a  higher  price.* 

*  The  first  Wire-working  establishment  in  this  country  was  founded  by 
John  Sellers,  in  the  year  1750.  His  two  sons  continued  the  business  at  the 
corner  of  St.  James  and  Sixth  streets,  and  were  so  employed  at  the  close  of 
the  Revolution.  The  house  thus  established  is  continued  by  SELLERS  & 
BROTHERS,  the  great-grandsons  of  the  original  founder,  and  ranks  among 
the  largest  in  the  business  in  this  country.  Their  list  of  manufactures  in- 
cludes Wire- work  for  buildings ;  Fourdrinier  Cloths,  Brass  and  Copper  Wire 
Cloth,  &c.,  for  Paper-makers ;  heavy  Twilled  Wire- work  for  Spark  Catchersi 
Sieves  of  all  kinds,  Circular  and  Standing  Screens;  in  a  word,  Wire-work, 
Wire  Cloth,  and  Sieves,  of  every  description. 

WATSON,  Cox  &  Co.,  are  another  prominent  firm  of  Wire- workers.  Of 
Brass  Wire  Cloth  they  make  all  numbers  from  two  meshes  to  one  hundred 
meshes  to  the  inch ;  Iron  woven  Wire,  from  one  mesh  to  sixty  meshes  to  the 
lineal  inch  ;  or  in  other  words,  Wire  for  Coal  Screens  to  Wire  for  superfine 
Flour.  They  also  make  a  very  strong  Wire  for  cleaning  rice ;  Sieves  and 
Riddles  of  the  best  kind  for  Iron  Founders  ;  and  besides,  a  great  variety  of 
Plain  and  Fancy  Work,  Covered  Cylinders  and  Dandy  Rolls  for  Paper- 
makers.  This  firm  is  probably  more  extensively  engaged  in  making  Brass 
Wire-work  than  any  other.  Their  manufactory  occupies  five  rooms,  in 
which  five  Looms  and  ten  operatives  are  constantly  employed. 

BAYLIS  &  DABBY  are  a  young  firm,  but  composed  of  men  who  have  had 
a  long  experience  in  Wire-working  in  the  old-established  houses  of  this 
city.  Their  standing  among  Paper-makers,  for  Brass  and  Copper  Wire 
Cloth,  is  highly  spoken  of;  also,  their  unusually  heavy  Coal  Sieves  for  Coal 
Dealers.  Their  stock  of  Sieves,  of  Silk,  Hair,  Brass  and  Copper  Wire 
Cloth  is  of  every  mesh  ;  and  their  heavy  Founders'  Sieves  and  Fancy  Wire- 
work  have  been  repeatedly  commended.  They  received  the  Diploma  at  the 
Pennsylvania  State  Fair  in  1854,  and  since  then  they  have  applied  Woveu 
Wire  to  Plastering  purposes;  the  ceiling  and  dome  of  the  Academy  of 


NAILS,    HINGES,    AWLS,    ETC.  339 

Besides  the  articles  and  brauches  of  the  Hardware  manufacture 
I  have  thus  specially  alluded  to,  there  is  an  immense  number  of 
articles  made  in  this  city,  and  which  come  within  the  category  of 
Hardware  stock.  Wrouglit  Nails  are  made  largely  ;  and  Cut  Nails 
are  produced  at  the  Quaker  City  Nail  Works,  near  Fairmount,  and 
at  the  Cumberland  Nail  Works,  Bridgeton,  N.  J.  The  latter 
Company  has  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  nail-machines  in  oper- 
ation, capable  of  producing  over  125,000  kegs  of  Nails  per  annum. 
The  supplies  of  this  establishment  are  furnished  from  this  city,  and 
the  products  disposed  of  in  it.  Horse  Nails,  chiefly  for  local  con- 
sumption, but  of  superior  quality,  are  made  by  four  or  five  persons. 
Plasterers'  and  Brick  Trowels  are  made  in  several  establishments 
in  this  city,  and  these  goods  are  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  United 
States.  Clock  and  Sash  Weights  employ  one  or  two  foundries. 
The  metal  used  in  this  manufacture  is  of  the  coarsest  kind,  400  tons 
being  about  the  annual  consumption.  The  first  Screw  Auger 
made  in  this  country  was  made  in  West  Philadelphia,  and  the  man- 
ufacture is  now  carried  on  by  the  successors  of  the  originator, 
producing  an  article  which  is  acknowledged  to  have  no  superior. 
Hammers  of  all  kinds,  from  those  used  in  watch-making  to  sledges 
and  trip-hammers,  are  made,  comparing  favorably  in  prices  with 
either  foreign  or  domestic  manufactures,  and  superior  in  quality  and 
finish.  Cast  Iron  Butt  Hinges  are  made  ;  and  the  Franklin  Insti- 
tute has  pronounced  the  pivot-butts  of  one  firm  equal  in  finish  to 
any  American,  and  the  principle  better.  A  manufactory  of  Strap 
and  Reveal  Hinges,  of  ev>  ry  size  and  variety,  has  been  in  operation 
here  for  several  years.  Piano  Forte  Hardware,  including  gimlet- 
pointed  screws,  is  made  very  extensively  by  one  firm,  established 
in  1822,  and  said  to  be  the  oldest  in  the  business  in  the  United 
States.  They  have  ten  machines  in  operation,  and  make  eighty 
gross  of  Screws  per  day.  Shoemakers'  Tools  are  made  by  five  or 
more  establishments,  who  make  their  tools  of  steel,  thus  securing 
a  large  sale  in  the  Eastern  markets,  where  cast  iron  is  prin- 
cipally employed.  Awl  Blades  are  made  in  every  variety  by  Mr. 

Music  being  a  sample  of  this  production.  Their  list  of  manufactures  in- 
cludes Wire  Railing  for  Cemetery  lots,  Piazzas,  Trellis-work  for  vines,  of 
beautiful  patterns ;  also,  Wire  Furniture  ana  Iron  Bedsteads. 


340  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Partridge,  who  is  the  son  of  the  largest  manufacturer  of  these 
articles  in  England.  He  was  himself  formerly  a  manufacturer 
in  Birmingham,  and  has  recently  sent  to  England  for  workmen. 
To  this  branch  belongs  a  great  variety  of  similar  articles,  besides 
binders',  saddlers',  printers'  and  shoemakers'  sewing  and  trenching 
awls,  mattress,  sail  and  collar  needles,  lasting  and  other  tacks, 
&c.,  which  are  made  by  him.  Coffee  Mills  of  high  reputation 
are  made  by  Selsor,  Cook  &  Co.,  and  Ridgway  &  Rufe,  in  Ger- 
mantown  ;  and  also  Shutter  Bolts,  &c.  A  Rotary  Knife  Gleaner 
or  Polisher  is  made  at  one  establishment,  and  by  means  of  it,  the 
labor  that  formerly  required  hours  may  be  performed  in  a  few 
minutes.  Of  small  tools  the  variety  is  infinite.  Jewellers1  Tools, 
Rollers,  &c.,  of  the  most  delicate  description  ;  Oyster  and  Butch- 
ers' Knives,  and  Garden  Tools  in  great  variety,  are  made  by  seve- 
ral persons ;  and  Patent  Curry-Combs,  of  iron  and  brass,  open 
back  and  covered ;  Patent  Bake  Pans  and  Meat  Mauls,  all  of  im- 
proved styles,  are  largely  made  by  one  manufacturer.  Of  Beach's 
Curry-Combs  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  while  they  are  greatly 
superior  in  durability  and  neatness  of  finish  to  most  of  the  im- 
ported, they  can  be  furnished  at  considerably  less  cost.  Steel 
Stamps,  Brands,  and  Punches,  Stone-cutters'  Tools  and  Mill 
Picks,  Curriers'  and  Tanners'  Knives  and  Tools  of  all  kinds,  Sad- 
dlers' Tools,  Binders'  Tools,  Coopers'  Tools  of  excellent  quality, 
Ice  Tools,  and  Umbrella-makers'  Tools  and  Furniture,  each  em- 
ploy one  or  more,  and  some  of  them  several  establishments.  Skates 
are  made  of  improved  construction,  being  fastened  to  the  foot  by 
springs,  without  straps ;  and  it  is  said  a  Company  has  been  or- 
ganized for  their  more  extended  manufacture.  Sad  Irons  are  a 
leading  article  at  a  factory  in  West  Philadelphia ;  and  Hoes  are 
made  at  several  establishments,  and  particularly  at  Prince's  ex- 
tensive Hoe  factory,  on  the  Pennepack. 

In  the  manufacture  of  the  miscellaneous  articles  which  are  in- 
cluded in  the  term  Hardware,  it  will  be  perceived,  from  what  we 
have  stated,  that  there  are  numerous  establishments,  and  the  aggre- 
gate production  is  very  considerable  ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  there 
are  no  very  large  factories.  The  most  extensive  manufactory  of 
General  Hardware  is  that  of  E.  HALL  OGDEN,  on  Ninth  and  Jeffer- 
son streets.  He  employs  about  seventy-five  hands ;  manufactures,  as 


OGDEN'S  MANUFACTORY — LIGHTNING  RODS.         341 

per  catalogue,  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  distinct  articles,  in- 
cluding Malleable  and  fine  Gray  Iron  Castings.  His  works  consist 
of  a  main  building,  fifty  by  one  hundred  feet,  with  two  wings,  one 
forty  by  one  hundred,  and  the  other  fifty-six  by  one  hundred,  filled 
with  all  requisite  machinery,  driven  by  an  engine  of  twenty-horse 
power.  His  manufactures  are  carefully  made,  and  his  Saddlery 
Hardware,  in  particular,  is  noted  for  its  excellence. 

The  manufacture  of  Hardware  is  a  branch  deserving  the  attention 
of  capitalists ;  for,  with  an  abundance  of  skilled  workmen,  cheap 
raw  materials,  and  a  good  market,  a  few  large  establishments  could 
hardly  fail  to  prove  remunerative. 

Iron  is  converted  in  Philadelphia  into  a  variety  of  forms  be- 
sides those  enumerated ;  and  if  we  were  to  venture  into  the  de- 
partments of  the  Miscellaneous  Manufactures  of  Iron  and  Steel, 
our  article  would  be  indefinitely  extended.  In  the  city  of  Frank- 
lin, Lightning  Rods  are,  of  course,  a  prominent  article  of  manu- 
facture ;  and  one  maker,  Mr.  THOMAS  AKMITAGE,  states,  with  a 
laudable  pride,  "  I  have  put  up  sixty  thousand  Rods,  and  have 
shipped  a  great  number  to  various  parts  of  the  world,  especially 
to  the  Southern  States,  and  have  never  heard  of  the  loss  of  a 
single  life,  or  the  destruction  of  a  dollar's  worth  of  property,  by 
lightning,  in  any  building  to  which  one  of  my  Rods  has  been 
attached.  I  have  received  information  of  three  to  five  thousand 
instances  in  which  Rods  that  I  have  put  up  have  been  struck  by 
lightning,  in  all  of  which  it  has  been  carried  safely  to  the  earth, 
without  the  slightest  injury  to  person  or  property."  With  such 
a  record  of  facts  in  their  favor,  he  may  well  have  confidence  iu 
the  superiority  of  his  Rods. 

But  we  must  take  leave  of  the  subject  of  "  Iron  and  its  Man- 
ufactures ;"  and  do  so  by  giving  the  following  statistical  aggre- 
gates, as  recently  compiled  by  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Trade,  as  aforestated.  Our  own  investigation,  as  far  as  it 
extended,  gives  a  greater  product  for  certain  items,  particu- 
larly Saws,  Shovels,  Guns,  &c. ;  but  the  general  aggregate,  we 
believe,  is  approximately  accurate. 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Men 

Total 

employed. 

production. 

7  10 

$1,801,150 

2,440 

2,500,000 

3,008 

3,428,000 

1,417 

1,912,0110 

I,         98 

95,000 

421 

411,000 

356 

330,000 

90 

120,000 

220 

300,000 

310 

345,000 

170 

238,000 

80 

78,000 

195 

397,000 

125 

127,000 

150 

150,000 

120 

120,000 

500 

600,000 

Forges  and  Rolling  Mills,        -    '    -    '    -     "'-  J.  '- 

Foundries  of  Stoves,  Hollow  Ware,  Ac.     - 

Locomotives  and  Steam  Engines,  with  Foundries,    - 

Machinist  and  Foundry  establishments, 

Platform  Scales  and  Foundry  work  not  before  included, 

Wrought  Iron  Bolts  and  Nuts,          -    '     •       '-" 

Malleable  Iron,  Ac.,         - 

Safes,  Ac.,       -        ^-j  t... ^  <.;  ••«  f.,i<t  i?  -ii-m  »- 

Rail-road  Cars,  Ac.,          -        -        -        -    '•"••,• 

Manufactures  of  Steel,  mainly 

Saws,  .-_-.. 

Coach  and  Car  Springs,          - 

Steel  Hay  Forks, 

Shovels,  Ac.  -        -        -        -  .    [- .  . 

Edge  Tools  and  Hammers,     -        -        - 

Cutlery,  Skates,  and  Instruments, 
Rifles  and  Guns,  !  L     •'-  '•    - 

Other  classes,  ...... 

Total,  .....  .      10,410  $12,852,150 

If  to  these  totals  we  add  the  share  of  Iron  making  and  Roll- 
ing, within  forty  miles  of  the  city,  which  truly  belong  to  its  busi- 
ness— being  established  by  its  capital,  and  obtaining  supplies  as 
well  as  finding  its  market  here — we  are  sure  that  two  thousand 
workmen,  and  a  production  of  $2,500,000,  would  be  within 
bounds  for  that  share.  Ten  thousand  workmen,  finding  homes 
constantly  within  the  city,  are  engaged  in  the  commercial  manu- 
facture and  working  of  Iron,  and  two  thousand  of  the  same  class 
alternate  between  the  city  and  the  country  in  its  vicinity.  The 
finished  work  made  in  the  city,  and  its  immediate  suburbs,  has  a 
commercial  value  of  twelve  millions  of  dollars ;  and  the  share  be- 
longing to  the  city,  though  located  a  few  miles  from  it,  of  three 
millions  more. 

XXII. 
Jewelry,  Silver-ware,  &c. 

Precious  Metals  are  first  mentioned  in  history  as  a  means  of 
facilitating  the  transfer  of  property  :  And  Abraham  weighed 
*o  Ephron  the  silver,  "  four  hundred  shekels  of  silver,  current 
money  with  the  merchant."  The  adoption  of  gold  and  silver  for 
personal  adornment  was  subsequent  to  its  use  as  money,  and  even 


GOLD   AND   SILVER   PLATE.  343 

to  this  day  the  idea  of  value,  in  the  popular  mind,  is  associated 
with  these  metals  principally  in  the  form  of  coin.  It  will,  therefore, 
seem  surprising  to  many,  that  the  value  of  the  gold  and  silver  plate 
in  the  world  has  been  carefully  estimated  to  be  two  thousand  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  which  is  at  least  one-fourth  wore  than  all  the  coin 
in  the  world.  In  the  United  States,  precious  metals,  of  the  value 
of  at  least  thirty  millions  of  dollars,  are  annually  converted  into 
plate  or  worked  up  into  ornamental  forms. 

Philadelphia  has  long  been  the  chief  seat  in  America  for  the 
conversion  of  the  precious  metals  into  coin.  The  United  States 
Mint  was  established  in  this  city,  in  1793,  and  np  to  the  close  of 
the  year  1856,  the  entire  coinage  amounted  to  $391,730,571.86. 

At  the  present  time,  Philadelphia  is  also  one  of  the  principal 
points  for  the  manufacture  of  Gold  and  Silver  Plate,  and  works 
have  been  produced  in  both  these  metals  that  would  do  no  discredit 
to  the  master  goldsmiths  of  Europe.  Mr.  WALLIS,  in  the  Report 
on  the  Industry  of  the  United  States,  thus  testifies : — 

"  The  manufacture  of  Gold  and  Silver  Plate  is  more  or  less  carried 
on  in  nearly  all  the  larger  cities,  especially  New  York,  Boston,  and 
Philadelphia.  In  the  last-named  it  partakes  of  the  character  of  a 
settled  trade,  there  being  some  twelve  or  fourteen  establishments  in 
which  a  considerable  number  of  persons  are  employed,  and  the  produc- 
tions of  which  are  of  a  varied,  but  for  the  most  part  of  a  useful,  as 
well  as  an  ornamental  character.  Table  services,  and  all  the  articles 
of  utility  comprised  in  suites  of  plate  for  domestic  use,  form  the  staple 
articles  ;  and  these  are  manufactured  in  large  quantities. 

"  The  workmanship  is  usually  sound ;  but  it  often  happens  that,  on 
close  examination,  a  deficiency  in  that  nicety  of  finish,  especially  in 
the  chasing,  which  characterizes  the  best  English  work,  is  observable. 
Still  it  is  rarely  found  that  the  equally,  or  perhaps  more  objectionable 
practice  of  over-chasing,  to  the  destruction  of  the  artistic  effect  of  the 
details,  is  committed.  The  fault  is  evidently  that  of  timidity  in  hand- 
ling ;  but  there  is  a  wisdom  in  leaving  off  at  the  right  time,  which  the 
elaborate  chasings  of  English  works  rarely  display. 

"  In  most  of  the  manufactories  a  few  European  workmen  are  to  be 
f3und ;  but  the  Americans  engaged  in  this  department  of  industry  are 
usually  of  a  superior  class,  and  it  is  remarkable  how  soon  they  get  into 
the  system  of  those  amongst  whom  they  are  thrown  as  mere  learners, 
f  n  this,  as  in  other  branches  of  industry,  their  minds  being  thoroughly 
prepared  by  education,  they  seem  to  seize  upon  and  master  even  very 


344  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

difficult  points  in  manipulation  and  construction,  as  it  were  by  mere 
instinct." 

Many  of  the  magnificent  Services  of  Gold  Plate,  Silver  Trnm pets, 
Horns,  &c.,  which,  at  different  times  and  in  different  parts  of  the 
United  States,  have  been  presented  by  citizens  to  those  whom  they 
delighted  to  honor,  were  executed  at  workshops  in  Philadelphia. 
But,  besides  Gold  and  Silver  Plate,  the  manufacture  of  Jewelry  is 
largely  and  successfully  carried  on,  particularly  the  finer  and  more 
costly  kinds,  as  Diamond  and  Pearl  Jewelry.  The  taste  displayed 
in  setting  diamonds  and  pearls,  and  in  Cameo,  Enameled,  and 
Filagree  work,  and  the  weight  and  purity  of  the  solid  gold  work, 
would  astonish  those  who  are  familiar  only  with  the  work  of  this 
description  executed  in  New  England. 

The  London  Commissioners  refer,  in  particular,  to  the  jewelry 
made  by  Messrs.  Bailey  &  Co.,  of  this  city,  and  highly  commend 
their  original  designs  and  workmanship. 

There  are  fifteen  lapidaries  in  the  city,  constantly  occupied  in 
cutting  and  preparing  the  various  stones — Rubies,  Sapphires, 
Agates,  Emeralds — besides  the  large  quantities  that  are  imported 
from  abroad.  The  value  of  the  gold  jewelry  annually  made  in 
Philadelphia,  including  gold  chains,  amounts  to  $1,275,000. 

The  articles  embraced  within  the  term  Jewelry  are  exceedingly 
numerous ;  and  we  can  only  allude  to  those  which  may  be  considered 
special  branches,  particularly  Gold  Chains  and  Pencil  and  Pen 
Cases. 

Gold  Chains  are  made  by  at  least  four  houses — DREER  &  SEARS, 
STACY  B.  OBDYKE,  E.  C.  BONSALL,  and  NEWLIN,  BISHOP  &  Co.  The 
first-named  firm  has  been  engaged  for  many  years  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  gold  chains  of  the  finest  quality  and  workmanship.  During 
the  past  few  years  they  have  extended  the  range  of  their  manufac- 
tures, and  now  produce  chains  of  every  merchantable  degree  of 
fineness.  The  present  firm  is  a  continuation  of  the  old  house  of 
Dreer  &  Hayes,  favorably  known  to  the  trade  since  1833.  Their 
manufactory,  in  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  is  one  of  the  most  complete 
and  best  arranged  in  the  country,  lofty,  well-lighted  and  ventila- 
ted, and  supplied  with  the  most  scientific  tools  and  machinery, 
driven  by  steam  power  :  they  have  a  capital  invested  in  the  business 
of  $150,000,  employ  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  hands,  to  whom 


PEN   AND    PENCIL    CASES — WATCH    CASES,    ETC.          345 

they   pay  annually  $10,000,  and   produce  chains  of  the  value  of 
$200,000  annually. 

Messrs.  Dreer  &  Sears  carry  on,  in  addition,  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  assaying  and  refining  the  precious  metals,  and  sell  bullion 
annually  to  the  amount  of  $300,000. 

Gold  and  Silver  Pencil  and  Pen  Cases  are  made  largely  in 
Philadelphia,  but,  as  we  are  informed,  only  by  one  firm — Messrs. 
GEORGE  W.  SIMONS  &  BROTHER,  Sansom  Street  Hall.  This  firm 
claim  to  have  been  first  to  use  steam  advantageously  in  this 
branch ;  and  their  present  machinery,  which  is  new,  costing  up- 
ward of  $25,000,  is  of  the  first  class,  and  embodies  all  the  latest 
improvements.  Messrs.  Simons  &  Brother  had  the  misfortune  to 
lose  their  entire  stock  of  tools  in  the  great  fire  which  consumed 
the  Artisan  Buildings  in  Ranstead  Place,  on  April  1st,  1856,  not 
a  single  appliance  of  manufacture  remaining  available  ;  but  in  six 
weeks  from  that  time,  as  we  are  informed — with  a  steam  engine, 
much  heavy  shafting,  and  other  machinery,  and  all  the  peculiar 
tools  of  the  art  to  be  constructed  anew — their  factory  was  again 
in  good  running  order  in  its  present  location  ;  and  ever  since  they 
have  been  occupied  in  perfecting  and  simplifying  its  details,  till 
now  it  is  confessedly  a  model  in  its  appointments.  In  addition 
to  Gold  and  Silver  Pencils  and  Pen  Cases,  Messrs.  Simons  & 
Brother  manufacture  Gold,  Silver,  and  Steel-top  Thimbles,  Fin- 
ger Shields,  Tooth  and  Ear  Picks,  Watch  Keys,  Gold  Pens,  Cane 
Heads,  Bracelets,  Breastpins,  Ear  Rings,  Finger  Rings,  Sleeve 
Buttons,  Studs,  Gnard  Slides,  Charms,  Seals,  Badges,  etc.  In 
the  manufacture  of  Thimbles  they  have  effected  many  improve- 
ments, particularly  in  the  application  of  steam  ;  and  it  is  said  that 
as  many  Gold  Thimbles  are  now  sold  annually  as  there  were  Silver 
ones  a  few  years  since,  while  the  consumption  of  the  latter  has  in- 
creased in  the  same  ratio.  They  employ  sixty  hands. 

Next  to  Gold  Plate  and  Jewelry,  the  largest  consumption  of 
this  precious  metal  is  in — 

Watch  Cases  and  Dials.  This  branch  of  manufactures  has 
rapidly  augmented  in  the  United  States  within  a  few  years,  and 
now  consumes  a  large  amount  of  Gold.  English  and  Swiss  Silver 
Watches  are  almost  invariably  imported  complete  and  ready  for 
sale,  but  Gold  Watches  are  usually  cased  here.  William  Warner, 
28 


346  PHILADELPHIA   AND  ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

of  this  city,  was  the  first  American  manufacturer  of  Watch  Cases, 
having  established  the  business  previous  to  1812  ;  and  Philadelphia 
continues  to  be  now  one  of  the  chief  seats  of  this  manufacture.  In 
purity  of  Gold,  in  excellence  of  workmanship,  and  in  elaborate- 
ness and  beauty  of  ornamentation,  it  may  safely  be  said,  the 
cases  made  in  Philadelphia  are  not  surpassed  by  any. 

The  price  of  Gases  chiefly  depends  on  the  weight  and  fineness 
of  the  Gold  ;  but  in  some  instances  much  labor  is  expended  upon 
them.  The  engraving  alone  costs  from  $5  to  $60.  A  Case  of 
common  Gold  can  be  sold  at  $20,  or  less  ;  while  others,  like  the 
magic  cases,  are  worth  from  $75  to  $125 — the  labor  expended 
upon  them  costing  more  than  half  that  sum.  The  business  re- 
quires a  large  capital,  as  the  material  and  labor  must  be  paid  for 
in  cash,  while  the  cases  are  usually  sold  on  a  credit  of  four  months. 

There  are  at  present  sixteen  Watch-Case  manufacturers  in  the 
city,  who  have  a  capital  invested  of  $375,000,  employ  two  hundred 
and  ninety-four  men,  and  make  Cases  annually  of  the  value  of 
$942,000.* 

*  A  reference  to  two  or  three  of  the  principal  establishments  in  this 
branch  may  not  be  inappropriate  : — 

E.  TRACT  &  Co.,  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  Library  street,  are  one  of  the  most 
prominent  firms  making  both  Gold  and  Silver  Cases,  and  possess  facilities 
for  completing  every  part  of  all  styles  in  their  own  factory.  They  are  also 
Refiners  and  Assayers,  and  prepare  all  the  Gold  and  Silver  they  use  by  dis- 
solving them,  which  is  said  to  be  the  only  sure  process  to  obtain  them 
entirely  pure.  They  usually  employ  about  fifty  workmen  ;  and  for  quality 
of  gold,  as  well  as  beauty  and  excellence  of  workmanship,  their  Cases  are 
second  to  none.  They  make  a  very  large  number  of  Cases  for  the  American 
Watch  Company,  of  which  Mr.  Tracy  is  one  of  the  three  proprietors— a 
Company  that  has  succeeded  in  competing  with  foreigners  in  a  department 
of  manufactures  that  was  before  untried  in  this  country. 

T.  ESMONDE  HARPER,  formerly  Harper  and  McLean,  S.  E.  corner  of 
Walnut  and  Dock  streets,  is  another  house  that  may  be  referred  to  with  sat- 
isfaction, as  illustrating  the  prominent  and  excellent  Philadelphia  houses  in 
this  branch.  Mr.  Harper  acquired  his  knowledge  of  the  art  from  Mr.  Wm.  War- 
ner, who,  as  previously  stated,  was  the  first  manufacturer  of  Watch  Cases  in 
this  country.  He  usually  employs  about  fiftj-  hands,  and  manufactures  largely 
for  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston,  and  Baltimore,  both  of  the  finer  and  most 
costly  Cases,  as  Magic,  Miniature,  Hunting;  and  of  the  lower-priced,  as 
Detached  Lever  and  Cylinder  Cases.  In  Engraving  the  Cases,  he  employs 
several  of  the  rarest  and  most  ingenious  machines  that  have  ever  been  cuu- 


GOLD  LEAF  AND  GOLD  FOIL.  347 

In  the  manufacture  of  Gold  Leaf,  there  are  now  nine  firms,  who 
employ  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  hands,  and  produce  an  annual 
value  of  $175,000.  The  malleability  of  Gold  is  such  that  it  may  be 
beaten  into  leaves  one  two-hundred-and-eighty-thousandth  of  an 
inch  in  thickness ;  in  other  words,  a  pile  of  280,000  leaves  will 
measure  but  one  inch  in  thickness.  Gold  Leaf  is  made  into  books 
containing  500  Leaves,  the  leaves  being  3f  inches  square ;  so  that 
each  book  contains  five  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-five 
square  inches  of  Gold  Leaf,  sufficient  to  carpet  a  small  bed-room, 
and  yet  the  weight  of  Gold  is  less  than  four  pennyweights.  In  the 
process  of  hammering  or  beating,  membrances  of  parchment,  vellum, 
and  gold  beaters'  skin  (a  peculiar  substance  prepared  from  the 
outer  membrane  of  the  large  intestine  of  the  ox)  are  interposed 
between  the  hammer  and  the  Gold. 

The  largest  Gold-beating  establishment  in  the  city,  and,  we 
believe,  the  largest  in  the  United  States,  is  that  of  HASTINGS  & 
Co.,  on  Fifth  street.  They  employ  forty-five  hands,  and  have 
facilities  for  beating  out  200  packages,  or  4,000  books  per  week. 
The  quality  of  leaf  produced  is  very  superior. 

Of  Gold  Foil  the  annual  production  in  Philadelphia  is  $150,000. 
The  principal  firm  in  this  branch — which  has  become  to  some 
extent  a  distinct  business — is  CHARLES  ABBEY  &  SONS,  the  oldest 
established  and  most  extensive  manufacturers  of  Gold  Foil  for 
dentists'  use  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  Charles  Abbey,  the 
founder  of  the  firm,  is  a  veteran  in  the  business,  having  been  un- 
interruptedly engaged  in  manufacturing  Gold  Leaf  and  Gold 
Foil — for  the  last  twenty-three  years,  Gold  Foil  only — since  1816. 
His  three  sons,  who  with  him  now  compose  the  firm,  are  also 
skillful  and  practical  manufacturers,  rendering  the  partners  a  host 

structed.     They  are  the  invention  of  a  monk  in  Switzerland,  but  introduced 
into  this  country  some  years  ago,  and  now  made  exclusively  in  this  city. 

Another  very  extensive  house  is  that  of  JACOT  &  BROTHER,  109  S.  Second 
street,  who  supply  with  Cases  some  of  the  largest  Watch  Importers  and 
Jobbers  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  the  Union.  They  commenced  business 
about  twenty  years  ago,  and  turn  out  about  six  thousand  Cases  per  annum. 
To  .obtain  a  sufficient  number  of  skilled  workmen  Mr.  J.  frequently  visits 
Switzerland,  and  brings  buck  a  number  of  workmen  and  their  families, 
advancing  the  money  for  the  expenses  of  their  journey,  to  be  refunded  out 
of  their  subsequent  euruiugs. 


348  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

within  themselves.  Mr.  Abbey's  connection  with  the  manufac- 
ture of  Gold  Foil  may  be  said  to  cover  the  entire  period  of  its 
use  for  purposes  of  dentistry.  When  he  commenced,  dentistry 
was  scarcely  known  as  a  distinct  profession.  This  firm  prepare 
all  the  Gold  they  use,  not  purchasing  from  refiners,  as  is  cus- 
tomary ;  and  that  they  make  a  most  superior  article  is  proved  by 
the  fact  that  "  Charles  Abbey  &  Sons'  Foil"  is  quoted  in  the 
trade's  circulars  at  a  higher  price  than  that  of  any  other  manufac- 
turer. They  supply  all  the  prominent  dentists  in  the  United 
States,  and  receive  orders  from  England,  France,  Germany,  Swe- 
den, and  from  other  parts  of  Europe. 

Gold  Spectacle  Frames  are  a  leading  article  of  manufacture 
with  a  number  of  firms — N.  E.  MORGAN,  BUTLER  &  MCCARTY, 
MCALLISTER  &  BROTHER,  W.  BARBER,  and  I.  SCHNAITMANN. 
The  quality  of  those  made  here  can  be  very  highly  commended. 

Gold  Pens  are  an  exclusive  branch  of  manufacture  by  two  or 
three  firms,  and  are  also  made  by  several  others.  Hair  Jewelry 
is  made  by  a  half  dozen,  and  some  of  the  specimens  are  exquisite. 
2.  SILVER  AND  PLATED  WARES. 

The  Silver  Ware  made  in  Philadelphia,  it  is  claimed  and  gener- 
ally acknowledged,  is  at  least  equal,  in  workmanship  and  design, 
to  the  very  best  made  in  this  country ;  while  many  connoisseurs, 
who  have  visited  the  most  celebrated  silversmith  shops  in  the  old 
world,  ascribe  to  none  of  them  precedence  over  those  of  Philadel- 
phia. The  articles  are  generally  made  of  a  fixed  standard,  several 
degrees  purer  than  coin,  and,  consequently,  possess  great  intrinsic 
value,  aside  from  mere  workmanship.*  The  manufacture  of  Spoons 

*  Messrs.  Bailey  &  Co.,  the  leading  Jewelers  and  Silversmiths  of  Phila- 
delphia, claim  the  distinction  of  having  first  introduced  the  use  of  Silver 
of  the  full  British  standard,  say  from  925-1000  to  930;  the  American  stan- 
dard being  but  900.  They  now  work  no  other,  a  test  being  made  monthly  by 
J.  C.  Booth,  Esq.,  Chief  Assayer  of  the  Mint.  One  advantage  of  thus  raising 
the  standard  is,  that  it  successfully  secures  the  trade  from  importations  of 
Silver  from  England,  for  purchasers  are  assured,  by  a  full  gurantee,  of  re- 
ceiving Silver  as  pure  as  that  stamped  by  the  English  government.  This 
improvement  in  the  quality  of  Silver  also  renders  the  manufactured  articles 
more  beautifully  white,  susceptible  of  higher  polish,  and  less  liable  to  oxi- 
d-ition  and  consequent  discoloratiou. 

The  house  of  BAILEY  &  Co.  has  been  in  existence  over  twenty  years,  and 


ELECTRO-PLATING.  349 

and  Forks,  by  machinery,  is  largely  carried  on,  the  shops  being 
provided  with  "  rolls,"  and  all  other  improved  machinery  that  baa 
as  yet  been  introduced.  A  great  deal  of  Silver-ware  made  in 
Philadelphia  is  retailed  in  New  York  as  Parisian. 

Within  the  last  few  years,  since  the  discovery  of  the  process  of 
Electro-plating,  the  wares  produced  in  an  inferior  metal,  but 
covered  over  with  a  film  of  silver,  have  become  quite  popular. 
In  England  the  principal  improvements  effected  in  this  class  of 
goods  are  identified  with  the  names  of  Elkinton,  Mason  &  Co. ; 
in  the  United  States,  the  most  successful  experimenter  was  John 
0.  Mead,  who,  with  his  two  sons,  constitute  the  firm  of  JOHN 
0.  MEAD  &  SONS,  leading  Silver-platers  of  Philadelphia.  The 
following  recital  of  facts,  extracted  from  a  memorandum  now  before 
us,  tends  to  establish  the  point. 

"  Previous  to  1836  Mr.  John  0.  Mead  was  executing  all  the  silver- 
plating  and  gilding  by  the  old  process  of  quicksilver  and  acids,  for  the 
N.  P.  Ames  Manufacturing  Company,  which  then,  as  now,  was  employ- 
ed principally  in  making  swords,  cannon,  and  military  equipments  for 
Government.  In  1836,  Mr.  N.  P.  Ames  was  tendered  an  appointment 
as  one  of  a  committee  to  visit  England  and  Germany  for  the  purpose 
of  acquiring  such  knowledge  as  would  be  necessary  for  establishing  a 
Government  Manufactory  of  these  articles,  but,  though  declining  the 
honor,  he  followed  the  committee  in  the  next  vessel.  While  in  England 
he  was  invited  to  attend  certain  lectures  instituted  by  Government,  where 
the  subject  of  depositing  silver  by  electricity  was  discussed,  and  its  feasi- 
bility theoretically  but  not  practically  demonstrated.  On  his  return 
to  the  United  States,  in  1837,  he  brought  with  him  one  of  Smee's  bat- 
its  reputation  at  the  present  time,  throughout  the  Union,  is  unsurpassed  by 
any  other  similar  establishment.  Though  the  South  has  been  their  princi- 
pal customer,  their  wares  are  well-known  throughout  all  parts  of  the  Union, 
and  everywhere  favorably.  A  Communion  Service,  finished  by  this  firm  to 
order  for  one  of  the  wealthy  churches  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  adjacent  to 
Boston,  attracted  by  its  beauty  a  wide-spread  attention.  All  the  processes 
— the  designing  and  drawing  of  the  patterns,  the  melting  and  refining  of 
the  metal,  to  the  last  finishing  touch  of  the  graver,  are  executed  upon 
their  own  premises,  and  under  their  personal  inspection.  The  Silver  Ware 
made  in  this  single  establishment  amounts  to  $100,000  annually.  This  firm 
have  just  completed  a  marble  store  on  the  north  aide  of  Chestnut  street,  ad- 
joining Messrs.  L.  J.  Levy&  Co.'s,  and  nearly  opposite  the  new  Hotel.  It 
is  one  of  the  finest  and  most  attractive  of  the  many  attractive  buildings 
an  that  thoroughfare. 


850  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

teries,  and  such  investigations  relating  to  the  subject  as  had  then  been 
made,  which,  however,  had  not  resulted  in  the  discovery  of  any  process 
by  which  silver  could  be  deposited  on  any  base  metal,  as  copper,  German 
silver,  &c.  After  about  a  year  of  close  study  by  day  and  night,  Mr.  Mead, 
to  whom  the  matter  had  been  submitted,  aided  by  scientific  suggestions 
from  Professor  Silliman,  discovered  that  prussiate  of  potash  was  the 
alkali  that  would  hold  up  silver  and  not  oxidize  base  metals,  and  con- 
sidered the  point  gained.  This  was  in  1839  ;  but  the  difficulty  yet  to 
be  surmounted  was  a  means  of  depositing  any  given  weight  of  silver 
that  might  be  desired.  The  discovery  of  the  cyanide  solution  in  1840 
solved  this  difficulty,  and  enabled  Mr.  Mead  to  deposit  any  required 
amount  of  silver  on  base  metals,  and  subsequently  on  any  metal  direct 
without  the  intervention  of  any  other  metal — a  result  which  even  yet 
few  houses  can  or  do  accomplish.  When  Mr.  Mead  had  perfected  his 
experiments,  he  instructed  others  in  the  process,  and  was  the  means  of 
putting  into  successful  operation  a  number  of  concerns  now  flourishing 
in  New  England." 

It  is  one  of  the  advantages  of  electro-plating,  that  all  ornaments, 
however  elaborate,  or  designs  however  complicated,  that  can  be 
produced  in  silver,  are  equally  obtainable  by  this  process.  Messrs. 
Mead  &  Sons  are  now  producing  articles  of  every  kind  and  variety, 
from  the  most  elaborate  Epergne  to  the  plainest  article  of  Tea  or 
Dinner  Service,  in  the  greatest  perfection.  Their  manufactory  is  a 
very  extensive  one,  over  two  hundred  hands  having  been  employed 
in  it  at  a  time ;  and,  in  their  warerooms,  near  the  Girard  House, 
may  be  seen  all  the  latest  and  most  beautiful  patterns,  rivaling,  in 
style  and  finish,  those  of  solid  silver.  They  make  about  fifty  dif- 
ferent patterns  of  tea-sets,  and  their  plated-ware  exceeds,  in  dura- 
bility and  variety,  as  well  as  in  richness  of  design,  that  of  any  of 
the  New  England  concerns.  Services  of  plate  are  constantly  being 
furnished  by  them  to  private  families,  hotel  proprietors,  steamboat 
and  ship  builders  ;  and  wares  of  their  manufacture  have  been  ship- 
ped to  England,  Turkey,  Persia,  and  China. 

MEYER  &  WARNE,  another  prominent  firm,  have  manufactured, 
for  some  years,  a  new  article  of  Plated-ware,  of  which  the  judges 
at  the  Franklin  Institute  Exhibition  of  1856,  spoke  as  follows : — 

"  It  appears  that  the  manufacturers  have  substituted  a  new  method 
in  making,  by  which  the  expense  of  chasing  is  dispensed  with.  Although 


BRITANNIA   METAL.  351 

the  mode  of  manufacture  is  not  fully  known  to  the  judges,  yet  sufficient 
is  known  to  enable  them  to  say  they  consider  it  a  decided  improvement ; 
because  any  pattern  can  be  exactly  reproduced,  and  at  a  cost  which 
will  enable  the  maker  to  sell  a  handsome  article  at  a  moderate  price. 
The  judges  would,  therefore,  desire  to  speak  in  the  highest  terms  of  this 
improvement  in  manufacturing." 

Since  that  period  the  firm  have  perfected  the  process,  and  are 
now  producing  a  metal  that  is  truly  remarkable  for  its  strength, 
whiteness,  and  cheapness,  while  it  has  a  ring  somewhat  resembling 
silver. 

Mr.  HARVEY  FILLET  has  long  been  identified  with  the  manu- 
facture of  Plated  Wares  in  Philadelphia,  and  has  established  an 
enviable  reputation.  We  notice  that  he  announces  an  article 
which  he  terms  Nickel  Silver. 

Britannia  metal  and  Britannia  metal  goods  are  made  by  four 
firms.  This  metal  is  composed  chiefly  of  tin,  antimony  and  copper, 
which  are  melted  and  mixed,  and  then  cast  into  bars.  Many  im- 
provements have  been  effected  in  the  manufacture  of  Britannia- 
ware,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the  art  of  spinning  the  hollow 
ware  into  form.  All  the  fine  work  is  now  spun,  but  the  process 
is  by  no  means  peculiar  to  this  city. 

The  statistics  of  Works  in  the  Precious  Metals  and  their  imita- 
tions, for  this  city,  are  approximately  as  follows : — 

Persons  employed,  „„._.„-       1,700 

Product,  viz.  .-—Gold  Jewelry,  Pens,  Spectacles,  Ac.,     ...        $1,275,000 

"    Watch  Cases, 942,000 

"    Leaf  and  Foil,  325,000 

SilverWare, 450,000 

Plated  and  Britannia  Ware,  ....  380,000 

Total, $3,372,000 

This  statement,  it  will  be  apparent,  does  not  include  the  addi- 
tional value  produced  by  assaying  and  refining,  includes  nothing 
for  the  Mint,  which  employs  125  persons,  nothing  for  the  silver- 
plating  of  Door-plates,  Knobs,  Bell-pulls,  Cutlery,  &c.,  but  simply 
the  product  of  the  manufacturing  establishments  in  Gold  and  Silver. 
The  amount  thus  only  partially  given  far  exceeds  the  annual  prod- 
uct in  Providence,  R.  I.,  which,  it  has  been  heretofore  supposed, 
was  the  chief  seat  of  the  manufactures  of  Gold  and  Silver  in  the 
United  States. 


352  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XXIII. 
Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and  Gas  Fixtures. 

In  nearly  every  Exhibition  of  American  Manufactures,  which  has 
been  held  in  the  last  quarter  of  a  century — we  presume  it  will  be 
conceded  by  every  one — the  most  attractive,  artistic  and  brilliant 
feature  of  the  display  was  the  Chandeliers,  Candelabras,  Giran- 
doles, &c.,  made  and  deposited  by  Philadelphia  houses.  The 
manufacture  of  these,  as  a  branch  of  American  industry,  is  of 
quite  modern  origin,  and  is  mainly  indebted  to  Philadelphia  en- 
terprise and  skill  for  its  present  development.  Previous  to  1830, 
the  whole  trade  in  Chandeliers  was  in  the  hands  of  foreign  im- 
porters. Now,  the  American  market  is  entirely  supplied  by  home 
manufacturers ;  and  if  we  may  judge  from  the  frank  acknowl- 
edgments of  intelligent  foreigners,  and  their  unequivocal  testi- 
monials to  the  excellence  in  design,  workmanship  and  finish,  dis- 
played in  the  products  especially  of  Philadelphia  workshops,  we 
anticipate  a  period,  not  remote,  when  Lamps  and  Chandeliers 
from  this  city  will  compete  successfully  with  those  of  Europe,  in 
European  markets. 

The  pioneer  establishment  in  this  manufacture,  and  the  one 
which,  in  extent,  is  now  confessedly  without  an  equal  in  Europe 
or  America,  is  that  of  CORNELIUS  &  BAKER.  Founded  about  a 
half  century  ago,  it  has  grown  from  a  small  workshop,  employing 
two  or  three  journeymen,  to  be  an  immense  factory,  requiring  as 
its  motive  power  several  hundred  workmen,  and  two  large  steam- 
engines.  The  operations  are  conducted,  as  will  be  perceived  by 
reference  to  the  engraving,  in  two  extensive  buildings  located  in 
different  parts  of  the  city,  but  they  are  so  managed  in  order  and 
system  as  to  constitute  but  one  factory.  A  telegraphic  wire,  laid 
principally  on  poles  erected  at  the  expense  of  the  firm,  forms  a 
medium  for  instantaneous  communication  between  the  two ;  and 
the  state  of  forwardness  of  any  work  can  be  ascertained  with 
almost  as  much  facility  as  if  it  were  in  different  parts  of  the  same 
building.  The  Cherry  street  factory  is  an  immense  structure, 
five  stories  high,  built  in  the  form  of  a  hollow  square,  and  is  en- 
tirely fire-proof.  The  floors  are  of  brick  ;  the  stairs  and  window- 
sash  of  iron,  and  the  roof  of  slate  and  iron — not  a  pound  of  nails 
nor  a  particle  of  wood  having  been  used  in  its  construction. 


N 


'  • 

:\ 


LAMPS,    CHANDELIERS,    AND   GAS    FIXTURES.  353 

Each  distinct  process  has  its  room  or  department,  and  every  grade 
of  workman,  from  the  common  laborer  to  the  artist  and  chemist, 
is  needed  in  the  various  departments.  In  this  miniature  world, 
too,  almost  every  nationality  on  the  globe  is  represented. 

To  describe  the  processes  necessary  in  the  manufacture  of  the 
various  articles  which  form  the  caption  of  this  chapter,  as  con- 
ducted in  this  establishment,  would  require  more  space  than  we 
can  appropriate  to  the  subject.  The  firm  has  provided  for  pres- 
entation a  comprehensive  description  in  twenty-four  pamphlet 
pages,  and  to  that  we  must  refer  the  curious  reader.  Briefly, 
however,  we  may  state,  that  the  successive  processes  in  the  form- 
ation of  an  Ornamental  article  from  Brass  occur  in  the  following 
order  :  The  design  is  first  modeled  iu  a  mass  of  prepared  wax. 
Each  modeler  in  the  establishment  mentioned  has  a  private  room, 
and  every  facility  given  him  in  the  production  of  his  patterns. 
Immense  sums  have  been  expended  by  this  firm  in  procuring  ap- 
propriate designs ;  and  probably  no  other  house  in  the  world  pos- 
sesses such  a  rare  collection.  When  the  pattern,  which  is  fre- 
quently the  work  of  weeks,  is  finally  completed,  it  goes  into  the 
hands  of  the  caster,  who  makes  a  mould  of  it  in  brass,  which  is 
sent  to  the  "chaser,"  aud  finally  finished  and  elaborated  into  the 
dignity  of  a  standard  pattern,  from  which  the  caster  may  multi- 
ply an  infinity  of  copies.  It  is  one  of  the  advantages  which  Phil- 
adelphia has  for  the  manufacture  of  Ornamental  Brasswork,  that 
the  sand  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  is  of  so  fine  a  character 
as  to  require  no  sifting  for  use,  and  the  finest  castings  are  easily 
made  without  the  intervention  of  white  metal.  Thus,  the  shrink- 
age and  variation  of  size  between  the  white  metal  pattern  and 
the  brass  casting,  often  found  to  exist  in  castings  made  from  the 
former,  is  avoided,  and  the  register  of  the  two  sides  of  a  branch, 
or  other  portion  of  a  Chandelier  or  Gas  bracket  requiring  to  be 
fitted  together,  is  more  perfect  than  it  otherwise  would  be.  The 
brass  pattern,  too,  takes  a  sharper  aud  more  decisive  chasing  than 
white  metal ;  and  all  that  is  required  to  be  done,  after  the  castings 
leave  the  foundry,  is  to  file  off  the  very  small  amount  of  super- 
fluous metal  retained  in  the  casting,  and  fit  the  parts  together. 

The  articles,  after  leaving  the  filing  room,  in  which  about  one 
hundred  mtu  are  employed,  are  sent  to  the  dipping  rooms,  where, 


354  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

by  means  of  acids  and  various  chemical  ordeals,  a  rich  pale  gold 
color  is  imparted  to  the  brass.  Messrs.  Whitworth  and  Wallis 
remark,  that : 

"  Iu  the  dipping  process,  as  pursued  in  these  works,  great  modifica- 
tions are  made  in  the  character  and  strength  of  the  acids  used.  It  was 
found  that,  from  the  variation  of  temperature  at  Philadelphia,  ranging 
as  it  does,  from  below  zero  in  the  winter,  to  96°  and  98°  in  the  shade  in 
the  summer,  nitric  acid  became  unmanageable  during  the  hot  season, 
as  its  fumes  were  given  off  so  rapidly  as  to  injure  the  health  of  the 
workmen.  The  accurate  scientific  knowledge,  however,  brought  to 
bear  upon  this  point — one,  too,  involving  the  very  existence  of  the 
trade,  except  at  a  frightful  destruction  to  human  health  and  life — has 
obviated  every  difficulty,  adapted  the  acids  to  the  temperature,  and 
the  dipping  department  is  comparatively  free  from  noxious  fumes,  even 
under  the  highest  of  the  above  temperatures.  The  result  is  equally 
satisfactory  as  regards  the  color  of  the  work  when  dipped,  some  novel 
effects  being  produced,  and  a  singular  purity  of  color  obtained." 

From  the  dipping  rooms  the  articles  are  removed  to  the  burn- 
ishing room,  where  a  high  polish  is  given  to  the  prominent  parts 
of  the  work  by  means  of  tools,  (which  consist  either  of  highly 
polished  steel,  or  a  very  hard  material  called  blood-stone)  dipped 
freely  into  a  cup  of  small  beer.  After  the  brass  is  burnished,  it  is 
again  cleansed  by  means  of  acids,  and  finally  washed  in  hot  water, 
the  heat  of  which  soon  causes  the  work  to  dry  ;  it  is  then  thrown 
into  a  trough  containing  bookbinder's  paper  shavings,  which  com- 
plete the  drying.  The  work  is  then  ready  for  lacquering.  The 
lacquering  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  and  requires  the  lacquer 
to  be  scientifically  made  and  skillfully  applied  to  ensure  a  rich 
and  lasting  gold  color  unaffected  by  the  action  of  the  atmosphere. 
In  this  process,  the  house  to  which  we  have  referred  has  made 
considerable  improvements.  It  was  found  that  the  lacquers  made 
after  the  English  formula  lost  color  very  quickly,  from  the  ex- 
tremes of  temperature  already  noted;  and  that  during  the  months 
of  July  and  August,  when  the  dew-point  of  the  barometer  is 
reached  in  Philadelphia,  the  red-lacquered  work  always  streaked 
in  the  direction  of  the  marks  of  the  spinning  tool  on  the  broad 
surface  of  metal.  After  a  series  of  experiments,  carried  through 
several  months,  this  firm  succeeded  in  making  a  lacquer  which  is 
quite  permanent  under  any  variation  of  temperature. 


CORNELIUS    AND    BAKER'S    MANUFACTORY.  355 

As  the  work  is  usually  made  in  numerous  parts,  the  fitting  of 
these  constitutes  an  important  branch  in  such  an  extensive  estab- 
lishment. One  room  is  occupied  entirely  by  a  number  of  men 
who  are  constantly  employed  in  fitting  together  such  Gas-work  as 
Chandeliers,  Pendants,  Brackets,  &c.  ;  another,  Girandoles  and 
Candelabras  ;  and  a  third,  the  numerous  class  of  Solar  Lamps 
designed  for  standing  upon  the  table,  or  for  being  suspended  from 
the  ceiling  or  against  the  wall.  From  all  these  apartments  the 
goods  are  taken  to  meet  once  more  in  the  packing-room  previous 
to  bidding  a  final  farewell  to  their  birthplace,  and  starting  for 
their  port  of  destination,  which  often  is,  Cuba,  South  America, 
the  Canadas,  and  sometimes  China  and  India. 

Besides  the  rooms  in  which  these  leading  processes  are  con- 
ducted, there  are  numerous  others  devoted  to  special  purposes. 
Some  of  the  Ornamental  work  is  painted  in  particolors  to  please 
fanciful  tastes  ;  some  is  bronzed  with  different  shades ;  while  other 
work  is  tastefully  enameled  or  covered  with  a  coating  of  fine 
gold.  Each  of  these  processes  has  its  appropriate  department. 
There  are  also  rooms  devoted  to  glass-cutting,  grinding  and  pol- 
ishing, and  rooms  appropriated  to  the  workers  in  artistic  bronze ; 
while  others  are  occupied  by  those  who  are  employed  at  damask 
work,  in  which  the  chief  agents  are  lacquer  and  acids.  In  the 
prosecution  of  such  an  immense  business,  there  is  necessarily  a 
vast  deal  of  turning  of  metals.  Many  hands  are  constantly  em- 
ployed cutting  screws,  a  branch  in  which  considerable  care  and 
skill  are  requisite.  All  the  screws  of  the  different  classes  that 
are  turned  out  of  this  establishment  are  made  of  one  size.  If  the 
branch  of  a  Chandelier  exported  by  this  house  to  China  should 
find  its  way  to  Russia,  it  would  fit  exactly  into  any  of  the  Chan- 
deliers in  the  Kremlin. 

The  success  which  has  attended  the  operations  of  this  firm  is, 
no  doubt,  due  in  part  to  the  natural  advantages  of  Philadelphia  for 
this  manufacture  ;  in  part  to  the  large  capital  which  the  firm  con- 
trol, enabling  them  to  procure  the  most  perfect  machinery,  as  well 
as  purchase  raw  materials  on  the  most  favorable  terms  ;  but  espe- 
cially would  we  ascribe  it  to  the  constant  attention  paid  by  the 
managing  partners  to  the  scientific  principles  of  Metallurgy, 
Chemistry,  and  Mechanism.  Every  detail  of  the  establishment  is 


35(3  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

carried  out  in  accordance  with  thorough  scientific  principles, 
and  the  result  is — the  products  of  their  manufactory  sustain  an 
enviable  reputation  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  All,  or  nearly  all 
the  Capitols  of  the  United  States  are  lighted  by  Chandeliers  man- 
ufactured at  this  establishment.  The  Chandeliers  and  Brackets 
of  the  Capitol  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  contain,  among  their  embellish- 
ments, statuettes  of  Prudence,  Science,  Commerce,  Liberty,  Amer- 
ica, modeled  and  bronzed  in  the  highest  style  of  Art.  The  Chan- 
delier of  the  Hall  of  Representatives,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  is 
fifteen  feet  iu  diameter,  and  appropriately  decorated  with  the 
products  of  the  State — corn,  cotton,  tobacco-plants,  &c.  The  Gas 
fixtures  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  at  Philadelphia,  were  also  made 
here.  The  Chandelier  hanging  in  the  Auditorium  is  said  to  be  the 
largest  in  the  world,  being  sixteen  feet  in  diameter  and  twenty-five 
feet  long,  and  having  two  hundred  and  forty  burners. 

The  firm  has  just  completed  the  lighting  apparatus  for  the 
House  of  Representatives  at  Washington,  and  is  now  executing 
a  similar  apparatus  for  the  Senate  Chamber.  There  will  be  2,500 
burners,  but  so  arranged  that  all  can  be  lighted  instantaneously. 

Messrs.  ARCHER,  WARNER,  MISKEY  &  Co.,  are  another  firm  in 
Philadelphia  engaged  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  Lamps, 
Chandeliers,  and  Gas  Fixtures.  The  English  Commissioners  be- 
fore quoted  state  :  "  The  remarks  as  to  the  character  of  the  work 
produced  by  the  last-named  firm,  especially  Gas  Fittings,  and  the 
perfect  division  of  labor,  which  is  not  so  general  a  feature  in 
American  as  European  manufactories,  applies  with  equal  force  to 
both  establishments  ;  and  though  that  of  Messrs.  Archer,  War- 
ner, Miskey  &  Co.  is  not  so  extensive,  its  operations  are  carried  on 
in  a  systematic  and  efficient  manner,  the  results  being  shown  in 
the  articles  produced,  which  are  excellent  of  their  class."  (For  a 
description  of  this  establishment,  see  APPENDIX.) 

Besides  the  establishments  referred  to,  there  are  numerous  others 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  Gas  Burners,  and  Brass,  Composi- 
tion, Carriage,  and  Locomotive  Lamps.  Lamp  Shades  are  made 
by  V.  Quarre  and  others ;  and  the  entire  business  done  in  Chan- 
deliers, Gaseliers,  and  Lamps,  we  estimate  at  $1,300,000,  employ- 
ing twelve  hundred  and  fifty  hands. 


TANNING  AND  CURRYING.  357 

XXIV. 

Leather  and  its  Manufactures. 

The  manufacture  of  various  kinds  of  Leather,  particularly  Sole 
Leather  and  heavy  Upper  Leather,  has  long  been  a  leading  pursuit 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  Tanneries,  which  reveal  themselves  here  and 
there  in  ravines  along  the  highways  and  by-ways  of  the  State,  some 
traveler  has  remarked,  are  almost  as  plentiful  as  the  old-fashioned 
water-propelled  grist  mills,  or  the  country  taverns.  In  1840  the  cap- 
ital invested  in  Tanneries  in  Pennsylvania  amounted  to  $4,255,055, 
by  which,  at  that  date,  5,226  operatives  were  employed.  The 
abundance  of  Oak,  particularly  the  White  Oak  and  Chestnut  Oak, 
has  facilitated  and  rendered  profitable  the  business  of  tanning  ; 
and  the  excellence  and  cheapness  of  oak  bark,  probably  more  than 
any  other  circumstance,  explain  the  immense  production  of  Leather 
which  finds  its  principal  depot  in  Philadelphia.  Quercitron  Bark, 
which  is  simply  a  product  of  the  ordinary  Black  Oak,  is  now  largely 
exported  to  Europe,  where  it  commands  high  prices. 

The  two  principal  processes  for  the  manufacture  of  Leather,  it 
is  perhaps  needless  to  remark,  are  denominated  Tanning  and 
Currying.  The  latter  is  mainly  a  mechanical  process,  and  the  former 
a  chemical  one,  though  requiring  more  or  less  manipulation  in  or- 
der to  facilitate  the  chemical  action.  In  Philadelphia  the  principal 
branch  carried  on  is  Currying ;  much  of  the  leather  tanned  in  the 
interior  of  the  State  being  brought  to  the  city  in  its  rough  state, 
and  requiring  the  art  jof  the  currier  to  smooth  and  adapt  it,  in 
pliability  and  softness,  to  its  various  uses.  The  firms  engaged  in 
currying  Leather  within  the  limits  of  Philadelphia  number  at  least 
thirty-five,  some  very  extensive,  while  there  are  but  ten  tanneries, 
four  of  these  being  employed  in  making  Sole  Leather  exclusively, 
two  in  Calf  Skins,  one  in  Belting  Leather,  while  the  others  make 
both  Sole,  and  Calf,  and  Sheep  to  some  extent. 

It  would  be  interesting,  did  our  space  permit,  to  note  and  trace 
the  effects  of  the  various  improvements  that  have  been  made  by 
mechanical  means  in  the  manufacture  of  Leather.  The  steam 
engine  has  been  generally  introduced  into  the  factories  of  leather- 
dressers  and  tanners,  and  is  now  used  for  grinding  bark,  for  soft- 
ening foreign  hides,  and  in  giving  motion  to  many  machines  for 
29 


358  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

washing,  glazing,  and  finishing  Leather.  Important  results  have 
also  arisen  from  the  invention  of  ingenious  machinery  for  splitting 
hides  and  skins.  This  is  effected  by  means  of  a  long  sharp  knife, 
kept  in  rapid  motion  about  the  sixteenth  of  an  inch  from  the  edge 
of  a  smooth  bar  of  iron,  over  which  the  skin  is  drawn  by  a  revolv- 
ing cylinder.  By  another  machine,  the  skin  is  pressed  between  the 
revolving  rollers,  and  presented,  as  it  emerges,  to  the  edge  of  a 
long  straight  knife,  nicely  adjusted  between  the  upper  and  under 
surfaces  of  the  skin,  and  kept  in  motion  backward  and  forward,  to 
facilitate  the  operation  of  splitting.  But  the  most  remarkable  of 
modern  improvements  in  this  connection  are  what  has  been  termed 
"time-shortening  inventions."  The  feat  has  actually  been  per- 
formed of  butchering  a  kid,  dressing  the  meat,  and  tanning  the 
hide,  all  in  the  self-same  single  hour ;  and  it  has  been  repeatedly 
and  unequivocally  demonstrated  that  good  Leather  can  be  made 
iu  a  comparatively  brief  period  of  time,  by  the  aid  of  machinery, 
bringing  the  skins  into  rapidly  repeated  contact  with  the  tanning 
liquor  by  means  of  a  revolving  cylinder,  which  catches  them  up 
and  dashes  them  down  alternately. 

The  distinction  which  Philadelphia  is  justly  entitled  to  claim  in 
this  branch  of  manufacture,  is  in  the  production  of  the  finer  kinds 
of  leather.  Calf  Skins  are  made  of  a  most  superior  quality,  nn- 
equaled  elsewhere,  it  is  believed,  in  this  country,  and  not  excelled 
by  the  celebrated  French.  One  of  our  manufacturers,  it  will  be 
remembered,  entered  into  competition  with  the  French  and  all 
others,  at  the  World's  Exhibition  at  London,  in  1851,  and  carried 
off  the  Prize  Medal.  All  parts  of  the  West,  as  well  as  less  remote 
States,  are  chiefly  supplied  with  this  leather  from  this  city. 

Deer  Skins  are  very  largely  manufactured  into  Leather,  which  is 
used  for  Gloves,  Suspenders,  Drawers,  &c.  About  60,000  deer 
skins  are  annually  converted  into  leather  in  Philadelphia  alone. 
The  hair  is  considered  to  be  the  best  material  for  stuffing  saddles. 

Sheep  and  Lamb  Skins  are  tanned  in  all  the  various  modes  ;  in 
bark,  in  alum  or  salt  for  white  leather,*  and  are  also  largely  ap- 

*  Alum  or  White  Leather  is  made  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  used  for 
Saddlers'  facings,  lining  Shoes ;  for  Masons'  aprons,  for  covering  necks  of 
bottles  and  spreading  plasters,  and  for  various  other  purposes.  The  skin 
is  softened  in  lime-water,  washed  several  times  in  pure  water,  and 


MOROCCO   LEATHER.  359 

propriated  for  Parchment  and  Chamois  Leather.  Two  of  the 
manufacturers  have  hydraulic  presses  for  expressing  the  grease  from 
the  skins,  thus  facilitating  the  operation  of  dyeing  in  brilliant 
colors,  which  cannot  well  be  done  while  any  grease  remains  in  the 
pores  of  the  skins.  The  raw  material  is  principally  furnished 
from  the  flocks  of  our  own  country,  though  Sheep  skins  are  im- 
ported to  some  extent  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

But  the  branch  of  the  Leather  manufacture  in  which  Philadel- 
phia may  fairly  claim  a  decided  pre-eminence  is  that  of  Morocco. 
At  least  one  and  a  half  millions  (1,500,000)  of  Goat  skins  are 
annually  converted  into  leather  in  Philadelphia ;  and  the  excellence 
of  quality  is  no  less  remarkable  than  the  quantity.  The  Goat 
skins  are  chiefly  obtained  from  the  East  Indies,  and  three-fourths 
of  the  whole  amount  imported  into  the  United  States  are  brought 
to  Philadelphia.  The  East  Indian  skins  are  small  and  have  short 
hair,  and  are  peculiarly  suited  for  ladies'  and  children's  shoes. 
The  Goat  skins  from  Tampico  are  highly  esteemed,  being  large 
and  heavy;  while  those  from  Curatjoa,  though  smaller,  are  very 
superior,  and  used  chiefly  for  making  kid  for  gloves  and  gaiter 
uppers.  Those  from  the  East  Indies  comprise  perhaps  four-fifths 
of  the  whole  importation. 

The  skins  are  principally  imported  into  Boston,  brought  to 
Philadelphia  to  be  made  into  Morocco,  and  many  of  them  again 
returned  to  Boston  to  be  converted  into  shoes.  Boston  and  New 
York  are  both  largely  supplied  with  Morocco  from  Philadelphia, 
and  also  the  principal  cities  in  the  West,  from  Pittsburg  to  St. 
Louis.  The  climate  and  peculiarities  of  water  in  Philadelphia 
seem  admirably  adapted  for  this  manufacture ;  and  with  the  aid  of 
the  highest  skill,  attracted  hither  as  the  chief  seat  of  the  manufac- 
ture, contribute  to  produce  results  that  are  apparently  not  attain- 
able anywhere  else  in  this  country. 

There  are  now  twenty-five  Morocco  manufactories  in  Philadel- 
phia, located  principally  on  Margaretta,  Willow,  and  St.  John 
Streets,  employing  six  hundred  and  thirty  males  and  seventy-five 
females,  who  produced  last  year  125,000  dozen  of  Morocco  and 

•ward  in  fermented  bran  liquor.  Yolks  of  eggs,  flour,  alum,  and  salt,  are 
used.  In  France  and  England  6,000,000  eggs  are  used  annually  in  prepar- 
ing Leather  for  Gloves. 


060  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Kid  skins,  averaging  $9  25  per  dozen,  which  would  amount  to 
$1,156,250.  Several  of  the  firms  have  very  complete  establish- 
ments for  making  Fancy  Leather  for  Shoemakers,  Hatters,  Book 
binders,  Coachraakers,  Saddjers,  &c. 

The  entire  product  of  Leather  in  185 7  we  state  as  follows  : — 

Sole  Leather,  Calf  Skins,  Upper  Leather,  Skirting,  &c.,  Tanned  and 

Curried, ;::"'!i;.     'U'J  '^^'  ^  ' '  "  I  -*1"!     $1,175,000 

Morocco  and  other  manufactures  of  Goat  Skins,  125,000  doz.  a  $9.25,  1,156,250 
Sheep  Skins,  ...  .V  i-m  '  -  50,000  doz.  a  $6,  300,000 

Deer  Skins,  White  Leather,  Parchment,  Vellum,  Ac.,      -    "  ,«       •          135,000 


Total,  -        1  ***"'„       •;'  '  l.;l.*. -'fi?i''!:--  "'-;  .'  '-'-'  :    ';     $2,766,250 

The  principal  manufactures  of  Leather  are  considered  under 
their  appropriate  captions,  viz.: — BOOTS  and  SHOES,  SADDLES, 
HARNESS  and  TRUNKS,  &c.  The  miscellaneous  manufactures  con- 
sist principally  of  Gloves  and  Clothing,  Belting,  Hose,  &c.  The 
Gloves  and  Buckskin  goods  made  in  Philadelphia  have  a  deserved 
and  wide-spread  reputation.  Their  qualities  and  merits  are  famil- 
iar to  all  dealers.  The  interests  of  this  branch  were  for  a  time 
depressed  and  injured  by  the  large  quantities  of  inferior  articles 
thrown  upon  the  market,  through  auction  houses,  by  the  Gloversville 
manufacturers;  but,  by  adhering  to  the  principle  of  making  only 
articles  of  the  first  quality,  which  in  this  class  of  goods  are  alone 
of  any  value  to  the  consumer,  the  Philadelphia  manufacturers  have 
maintained  their  reputation  and  increased  their  business.  The 
annual  production  of  Buckskin  Gloves,  Mittens,  Drawers,  Suspend- 
ers, &c.,  in  Philadelphia,  including  Kid  Gloves,  which  are  made  of 
excellent  quality,  will  exceed  $150,000.  The  product  of  Belting, 
Leather  Hose,  &c.,  may  be  reckoned  at  $175,000,  and  consequent- 
ly, the  entire  product  of  Leather,  Buckskin  Gloves,  &c.,  will  be 
stated  approximately  at  $3,091,250. 

XXV. 

Marble,  Stone,  Slate,  Soapstone,  &c. 

Marble,  as  a  building  material,  is  used  more  extensively  in 
Philadelphia  than  in  any  other  American  city ;  and  the  prepara- 
tion of  it  for  this  purpose  alone  would  constitute  a  prominent,  and 
perhaps  a  flourishing  pursuit.  One  cause  that  has  contributed 


MARBLE    QUARRIES    NEAR    PHILADELPHIA.  361 

more  than  any  other  to  bring  this  material  into  such  extensive 
use  in  Philadelphia,  aside  from  its  beauty,  is  its  cheapness  and 
the  facility  of  obtaining  it,  there  being  several  very  old  and  excel- 
lent quarries  within  fifteen  miles  of  the  centre  of  the  city.  The 
Hilner  Quarry,  which  is  nearest  to  the  city,  has  produced  some 
very  fine  White  Marble ;  but  on  account  of  the  extreme  depth  of 
the  quarry,  reaching  in  some  places  to  two  hundred  and  forty  feet, 
the  working  is  very  expensive.  Contiguous  to  this  is  the  Lentz 
Quarry,  which  produces  a  marble  not  very  desirable  on  account 
of  the  dark-blue  spots.  The  Fritz  Quarry,  recently  purchased  by 
the  "Pennsylvania  Land  and  Marble  Company,"  is  an  old  quarry, 
and  has  produced  a  very  fine  white  and  blue  variegated  Marble, 
known  as  the  "  Pennsylvania  Clouded,"  formerly  much  used  for 
mantels  and  chimney-pieces  in  old  Pennsylvania  houses  of  the 
better  kind.  The  Dager  Quarry,  in  the  same  vicinity,  produces 
a  similar  Marble,  but  not  quite  equal  to  it  in  beauty.  On  the 
west  side  of  the  Schuylkill  are  the  Henderson  Quarries,  extensive, 
deep,  and  expensive  to  work,  but  which  produce  very  good  quali- 
ties of  White  and  Blue  Marble,  found  in  alternate  layers  in  the 
same  quarry,  the  bed  of  blue  being  first,  and  the  white  underneath 
it.  Numerous  important  buildings  in  the  city  exhibit  specimens 
of  Marble  from  these  quarries ;  as,  for  instance,  the  Mint,  Ex- 
change, and  steps  and  ashlar  of  the  Girard  College ;  and,  among 
the  new  buildings,  Henry  Korn's  store  in  Third  above  Market.* 
A  Black  Marble,  formerly  much  used  for  hearths,  wall-plates,  and 
shelves  of  mantels,  when  Black  and  Gold  was  the  fashion,  is  also 
found  in  these  quarries  in  boulders  or  detached  masses,  but  not 
equal  in  quality  to  the  Irish  Black.  One  mile  distant  from  these 
is  the  Brooks'  Quarry,  from  which  the  Blue  Marble  composing 
the  front  of  Levick,  Raisin  &  Co.'s  store,  on  Market  street,  was 
obtained. 

•  When  the  building  which  formerly   occupied  the  site  of  the   present 
University  of  Pennsylvania  was  torn  down,  a  corner-stone  of  Henderson's 
Blue   Marble,  two  feet  eight  and  a  half  inches  by  one  foot  eleven  inches, 
was  discovered,  with  the  following  inscription  cut  on  the  face  : 
'*  Thu  Corner  Stone  of  the  house  to  accommodate  the  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES,  was  laid  May  10th,  1782,  when  Pennsylvania  teas  happily  out  of 
Debt: 

THOMAS  MIFFMN  then  Governor  of  the  State." 
29* 


362  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

The  products  of  the  Pennsylvania  quarries,  however,  constitute 
but  a  small  proportion  of  the  Marble  consumed  by  the  Marble- 
workers  in  Philadelphia.  Large  importations  of  different  varie- 
ties of  Marble,  but  principally  veined  Italian,  are  annually  made 
from  Leghorn,  and  sold  on  arrival  at  public  auction,  at  prices 
varying  from  $2  to  $4  per  cubic  foot.  One  establishment,  that 
of  Mr.  JOHN  BAIRD,  consumes  annually  over  15,000  cubic  feet  of 
Italian  Marble.  The  quarries  of  J.  K.  and  M.  FREEDLEY,  at 
West  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  supply  a  good  quality  of  ordinary 
building  Marble,  which  is  extensively  used  in  Philadelphia ;  and 
the  Vermont  quarries,  particularly  those  at  Rutland,  from  which 
the  finest  varieties  of  American  Marble  are  obtained ;  and  those 
at  Manchester,  owned  by  FREEDLEY,  MACDONALD  &  Co.,  supply 
this  market  with  large  quantities  sawed  to  sizes  for  gravestone 
and  other  purposes,  and  from  hence  reshipped  to  the  South  and 
West.  It  is  not  an  unusual  circumstance  for  quarry  operators  in 
New  England  to  consign  a  cargo  of  Marble  to  this  city  on  a 
venture ;  and  as  ventures  do  not  always  arrive  exactly  at  the  time 
of  demand,  the  jobbers  and  dealers  in  Philadelphia  can  frequently 
purchase  on  terms  so  favorable,  that  they  can  in  turn  supply  cus- 
tomers in  the  South  and  West  with  Marble  in  slabs  cheaper  than 
either  could  purchase  it  in  block  at  the  quarries.  The  wholesale 
dealers  in  this  city,  however,  are  generally  owners  of  quarries — 
Mr.  S.  F.  PRINCE  is  the  only  jobber  who  has  no  interest  in  any 
quarry. 

The  trade  in  Marble,  as  an  important  pursuit,  is  of  compara- 
tively recent  origin  ;  but  probably  in  no  other  has  the  adoption  of 
improved  facilities  been  more  rapid  and  general.  Less  than 
twenty-five  years  ago,  all  Marble  was  sawed  by  the  friction  of  a 
saw  without  teeth,  aided  by  sharp  sand,  pushed  backward  and 
forward  by  manual  force.  Now,  Marble  is  sawed,  rubbed,  and 
polished  by  steam  power ;  and  a  block  of  Italian  Marble  has  been 
converted  into  four  hundred  superficial  feet  of  slabs  in  twelve 
hours.  Holes  of  any  required  size  are  now  drilled  by  machinery, 
and  perfect  joints  are  made  by  the  aid  of  lap-wheels.  The 
rapidity  with  which  a  rough  block  of  Marble  can  be  converted 
into  highly-finished  products,  is  only  less  astonishing  than  the  time- 
shortening  tanning  process  referred  to  in  the  preceding  article. 


STEAM    MARBLE    MILLS.  363 

There  are  now  six  steam  mills  in  Philadelphia  for  sawing  and 
preparing  Marble  ;  and  some  of  them  are  the  most  extensive,  com- 
plete, and  best-arranged  mills  of  the  kind  in  the  entire  Union. 
The  proprietors  of  these  mills  are  EDWIN  GEEBLE,  JOHN  BAIRP, 
LEWIS  THOMPSON  &  Co.,  S.  F.  JACOBY  &  Co.,  J.  &  E.  B.  SCHELL, 
and  ELI  HESS. 

Greble's  Works  are  located  on  Chestnut  above  Seventeenth 
street,  and  consist  of  a  four-story  brick  mill  88  by  40  feet,  with 
a  two-story  addition  in  the  form  of  an  L,  26  by  115  feet,  of  which 
the  lower  part  is  occupied  for  offices  and  as  the  stonecutters'  de- 
partment ;  and  the  entire  second  story,  a  large  and  handsome 
room,  is  appropriated  as  a  mantel  wareroom,  in  which  may  at  all 
times  be  seen  about  one  hundred  different  patterns  of  mantels. 
In  connection  with  the  Marble-Works  on  Chestnut  street,  he  has 
in  another  location  a  very  extensive  yard  devoted  to  the  prepara- 
tion of  Brown  Stone  building-work.  Some  of  the  most  elegant 
fronts  Philadelphia  can  boast  were  executed  in  his  establishment. 
In  the  two  concerns,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  are  usu- 
ally employed. 

Mr.  Edwin  Greble  is  one  of  the  oldest  established  and  conse- 
quently best  known  Marble-workers  in  Philadelphia.  He  com- 
menced the  business  in  1829,  and  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century  has  been  uninterruptedly  engaged  in  the  Marble  trade, 
prosecuting  a  constantly-increasing  business.  He  was  among  the 
first  in  Philadelphia  to  use  Italian  Marble  in  monumental  work  ; 
and,  since  the  discovery  of  very  excellent  varieties  of  American 
Marble,  and  its  durability  has  been  well  established,  he  has  been 
among  the  most  zealous  in  recommending  that  to  favorable  con- 
sideration for  like  purposes. 

Mr.  Greble's  Works  were  formerly  located  on  Willow  street, 
above  Broad,  where  he  owned  the  second  mill  for  sawing  Marble 
by  steam-power  built  in  Philadelphia. 

BAIRD'S  MARBLE  WORKS  are  so  well  known  throughout  the 
Union,  that  a  detailed  description  would  be  superfluous.  The 
enterprising  proprietor  has  provided  first-rate  equipments  for 
working  Marble,  and  then  has  shown  a  master's  hand  in  advising 
the  public  of  the  important  fact.  It  was  the  fortune  and  pleasure 
of  the  Author  to  refer  to  these  Works  some  two  years  ago,  and  a 


364  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

brief  extract  from  his  remarks  on  that  occasion  must  suffice  for  a 
present  description  : 

"  In  the  workshops  a  large  force  of  skillful  workmen  may  be  seen  en- 
gaged in  executing  various  designs,  and  converting  rough  blocks  or 
pieces  of  marble  into  various  beautiful  forms  by  the  mallet  and  chisel, 
which  machinery,  with  all  its  triumphs,  has  not  as  yet  superseded.  In 
designing  and  carving  Mantels,  Monuments,  and  elaborate  works  of 
Art,  Mr.  Baird  has  been  unusually  successful,  through  the  agency  of 
accomplished  workmen  ;  and  some  of  the  most  exquisite  specimens  of 
the  Phidian  art,  of  which  this  country  can  boast,  are  the  products  of 
his  workshops.  It  has  been  his  practice  not  only  to  secure  the  best 
native  and  foreign  artists  in  carving  and  designing,  and  to  stimulate 
their  ambition  by  rewards  and  liberal  remuneration,  but  to  encourage 
the  study  and  practice  of  both  these  arts  by  establishing  schools  for  the 
benefit  of  his  apprentices.  The  fruits  of  his  enterprise  in  this  respect 
may  be  seen  in  his  Mantel  warerooms,  and  in  the  Monuments  and 
Tombs  which  adorn  our  Cemeteries.  His  warerooms  contain  upward 
of  130  different  patterns  of  Marble  Mantels,  made  from  all  varieties 
of  marble,  common  and  rare,  from  the  clouded  Pennsylvania  to  the 
Carrara  statuary,  and  ranging  in  price  from  $10  each  to  $1,000  and 
upward  per  pair.  The  designs  in  most  instances  are  original,  and  the 
carving  on  the  most  costly  renders  them  worthy  of  a  place  among  the 
chef-d'oeuvres  of  the  art.  The  flowers  and  fruits  appear  to  want  nothing 
but  color  to  start  into  life,  and  the  heads  and  scrolls  are  worthy  speci- 
mens of  the  sculptor's  skill.  In  Monumental  Art,  the  triumphs  of  the 
proprietor  of  those  Works  are  written  on  the  Cemeteries  of  Philadel- 
phia, the  Mausoleums  of  the  South,  and  the  resting-places  of  the  dead 
throughout  the  Union.  Whether  it  be  a  people's  testimonial  of  gratitude 
to  heroes  who  sacrificed  their  lives  in  battling  with  the  pestilence,  or  a 
contribution  from  patriotic  mechanics  to  the  pile  erecting  in  honor  of 
Washington,  or  the  more  numerous  and  diversified  mementos  of  affec- 
tion to  departed  relatives  or  friends,  the  same  wealth  of  resources,  the 
same  masterly  execution,  are  visible  in  all.  In  the  workshop  devoted 
exclusively  to  this  branch  may  at  all  times  be  seen  a  greater  variety  of 
finished  Monumental  and  Tomb  work  of  Italian  and  American  Marble 
than  in  any  other  establishment  that  we  know  of  in  this  country." 

LEWIS  THOMPSON  &  Co.'s  Works  are  employed  principally, 
and  we  believe  exclusively,  for  sawing  Marble  into  furniture  tops. 
These  works  in  their  entirety  are  among  the  most  remarkable  in 
Philadelphia.  We  shall  therefore  reserve  a  description  for  the 
APPENDIX. 


MONUMENTAL   MARBLE-WORK.  365 

The  Marble- Works  of  S.  F.  JACOBT  &  Co.,  J.  &  E.  B.  SCHELL, 
and  ELI  HESS,  are  all  provided  with  good  facilities,  and  tarn  out 
large  quantities  of  sawed  Marble,  which  are  sold  to  the  South 
and  West  in  slab  or  converted  into  finished  products.  The  trade 
with  the  South  and  West  is  rapidly  extending,  as  the  facilities 
of  Philadelphia  for  supplying  Marble  become  more  widely  known. 
The  demand  also  for  new  forms  of  Marble-work,  as  Tiles,  Mosaics, 
etc.,  is  likewise  increasing. 

But  the  marked  characteristic  of  this  trade  in  Philadelphia,  en- 
titling it  to  a  high  rank  and  position  as  a  pursuit,  is  not  in  the 
Mills,  well-equipped  as  they  are,  but  in  the  artistic  ability  and 
taste  which  have  been  displayed  in  designing  and  executing  orna- 
mental and  monumental  Marble-work.  Long  before  the  Marble- 
workers  in  New  York  and  other  cities  were  seemingly  aware  that 
uniformity  in  design  was  not  a  merit,  those  of  this  city  employed 
special  designers ;  and  the  genius  of  at  least  one,  who  for  twelve 
years  was  solely  occupied  in  making  monumental  designs  for  one 
firm,  has  afforded  copyists  abundant  and  profitable  occupation. 
The  sums  expended  by  Struthers,  or  Baird,  or  Greble  for  origi- 
nal designs,  probably  exceed  the  expenditure,  for  a  similar  pur- 
pose, of  the  whole  trade  in  other  cities.  Of  the  execution,  too, 
in  Monumental  work,  it  would  be  impossible  to  speak  in  exagger- 
ated terms.  The  sculptors  of  Philadelphia  might,  with  confidence 
in  a  verdict  favorable  to  themselves,  submit  the  question  to  any 
jury,  even  of  intelligent  competent  foreigners,  who  would  take 
the  time  necessary  to  form  a  correct  judgment,  whether  the  work- 
manship ordinarily  displayed  by  them  in  carved  Marble-work  (ex- 
cept in  statues,  in  which  they  have  had  but  little  experience)  is 
not  superior  to  that  ordinarily  executed  in  Italy,  the  home  of 
Sculpture.*  Certain  it  is,  that  the  tombs  imported  from  abroad, 
though  perhaps  the  most  costly,  are  not  the  most  noteworthy  and 
finely-chiseled  Art-objects  in  our  Cemeteries.  Nearly  all  the  Sar- 
cophagi in  which  repose  the  ashes  of  the  greatest  of  American 
heroes,  jurists,  and  others,  were  executed  by  Philadelphia  sculp- 

*Even  in  Statues  no  very  great  inferiority  can  be  admitted.  Mr.  THOMAS 
HA.EQRAVK  has  recently  executed  two  Statues — one  of  Moses  Delivering 
the  Law,  and  another  of  Christ  the  Mediator,  that,  we  are  told,  will  beai 
favorable  comparison  with  the  best  works  of  the  kind  executed  in  Italy. 


366  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

tors  ;  for  instance,  the  Sarcophagus  of  Washington,  of  Chief-Jus- 
tice Marshall,  of  Chief-Justice  Tilghman  and  Bushrod  Washing- 
ton, of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Whitefield,  and  others.  At  this  moment 
the  chisels  are  busy  in  shaping  Sarcophagi  that  will,  if  possible, 
invest  with  increased  interest  the  burying-places  of  HENRY  CLAY 
and  JOHN  M.  CLAYTON.*  But  the  theme  is  susceptible  of  un- 
limited elaboration. 

There  are  now  about  sixty  marble  yards  in  Philadelphia,  employ- 

*  Both  of  these  works,  we  are  happy  to  learn,  are  being  executed  of 
American  Marble,  and  by  Mr.  WILLIAM  STBUTHERS,  who  is  well-known  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  and  eminent  of  the  workers  in  Marble  in  Phila- 
delphia. He  is  successor  and  representative  of  the  house  of  John  Struth- 
ers, and  J.  STRUTHEES  &  SON,  established  more  than  a  half  century  ago.  The 
Marble  work  of  nearly  all  the  elegant  and  costly  public  buildings  for  which 
Philadelphia  is  distinguished  was  executed  by  this  firm — the  U.  S.  Bank,  now 
Custom  House,  U.  S.  Naval  Asylum,  U.  S.  Mint,  Chestnut-street  Theatre, 
Philadelphia  and  Western  Banks,  Philadelphia  Exchange,  Mechanics'  Bank, 
Philadelphia  Saving  Fund ;  Girard  Buildings,  Chestnut  above  Eleventh ; 
Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank,  Bailey  &  Co.'s  new  Marble  store,  and  many 
others.  Their  skill  in  this  branch,  however,  has  not  been  monopolized  by 
Philadelphia,  but  maybe  seen  in  many  of  the  Marble  buildings  of  the  United 
States :  the  State  Capitols  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio ;  the  Commercial 
Bank,  Natchez,  Miss.;  the  United  States  (Branch)  Bank  at  Pittsburg,  Penn. 
Mr.  Struthers  is  also  largely  engaged  in  executing  building  work  in  Sand- 
stone ;  and  we  believe  was  the  first  to  introduce  the  stone  of  this  descrip- 
tion, now  so  popular,  from  the  Albert  and  Pictou  Quarries,  British  Prov- 
inces. Many  of  the  elegant  stores  and  mansions  which  enhance  the  archi- 
tectural beauty  of  the  city,  as  for  instance,  Morris  L.  Hallowell's,  J.  Stone 
&  Sons,  L.  J.  Levy  &  Co.'s  stores ;  Pennsylvania  Rail-road  Company's 
building  on  Third  street  and  Willing's  Alley ;  John  Grigg's  mansion,  in 
Walnut  street ;  Wm.  Welsh's  mansion,  in  Spruce  street;  J.  Hare  Powell's 
mansion,  in  Walnut,  &c.  But  the  branch  of  his  general  and  extensive  bu- 
siness which  entitles  Mr.  Struthers  to  special  distinction,  because  excellence 
in  it  is  more  rare,  is  Marble  Monumental  work.  To  enumerate  all  the  im- 
portant Monuments  which  have  been  executed  in  the  yard  of  J.  STRUTHERB 
&  SON,  would  require  far  more  space  than  our  limits  can  afford.  Art- 
objects,  of  the  highest  character  in  point  of  taste  and  workmanship,  have 
been  sent  by  this  firm  not  only  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States  but  to  En- 
gland, the  West  Indies,  China,  and  Syria. 

As  an  exception  to  the  characteristic  American  rule  of  frequent  change, 
we  may  state  that  the  spot,  360  Market  st.,  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Wm.  Struth- 
ers, as  a  Marble  Yard,  has  been  used  as  such  uninterruptedly  since  17'J8. 


SLATE,    SOAP-STONE,    ETC.  367 

ing,  on  an  average,  eight  hundred  and  forty  hands,  and  executing 
work  to  the  amount  of  $860,000  annually.  Nearly  one-half  of  the 
amount  is  done  by  four  firms. 

Two  or  three  of  the  marble-workers  are  also  extensively  engaged 
in  executing  Building  work  in  Sand-stone  ;  and  the  statistics  of 
the  entire  business,  including  workers  in  Brown-stone,  Granite, 
Flag-stones,  &c.,  would  amount,  on  an  average,  to  1,150  hands, 
and  a  product  of  $1,160,000.* 

3.    SLATE,    SOAP-STONE,   ETC. 

In  our  introductory  remarks  we  adverted  to  the  Slate  Quarries, 
in  Lehigh  County,  and  stated  that  the  very  best  qualities  of 
Slate  are  obtained  in  Pennsylvania.  In  other  places,  the  pre- 
paration of  Slate  for  Roofing  purposes  constitutes  the  principal 
item  of  its  manufactures,  but  in  Philadelphia,  School  Slates  are 
also  made  extensively.  A  new  method  of  framing  School  Slates 

*  Nearly  all  varieties  of  Stone  used  in  this  country,  for  building  mate- 
rial, have  their  representatives  in  buildings  erected  in  Philadelphia.  The 
following  are  of 

Stone,  from  the  Albert  Quarries,  British  Provinces. — Cowperthwaite's  Build- 
ing, Chestnut  St.,  above  tith;  Howell  &  Brothers,  S.  W.  corner  Chestnut  and 
6th;  Pennsylvania  Rail-road  Company's,  3d  and  Willing's  Alley;  J.  Stone 
&  Sons',  Chestnut,  above  8th ;  Western  Saving  Fund,  Walnut  and  10th ; 
Morris  L.  Hallowell's,  Market,  below  4th ;  Gans,  Leberman  &  Co.,  8d,  above 
Market ;  Geo.  W.  Ball's  mansion,  Chestnut  street ;  R.  W.  D.  Truitt's,  Chest- 
nut st. ;  W.  J.  Duane's,  Locust  st. ;  Thos.  Beaver's,  Logan  Square. 

Stone,  from  the  Pictou  Quarry. — Joseph  Harrison,  Jr.'s,  mansion  on  18th, 
and  houses  on  Locust  St.;  Simes'  Building,  12th  and  Chestnut;  William 
Welsh's  mansion,  Spruce,  below  12th;  Thomas  Thompson's,  Spring  Garden, 
below  12th;  Womrath's  stores,  Arch  St.,  above  4th. 

Connecticut  Stone,  Middlesex  Quarry,  Portland,  Conn. — Schuylkill  Naviga- 
tion Company's  building,  Walnut,  above  4th;  L.  J.  Levy  &  Co.'s,  new  store, 
Chestnut,  above  8th ;  two  large  Warehouses,  north  siJe  Chestnut,  below  3d ; 
Farnham,  Kirkham  &  Co.s',  Chestnut,  below  3d;  John  Grigg's  mansion, 
Walnut  street,  opposite  Rittenhouse  Square ;  J.  Hare  Powell's,  Walnut,  op- 
site  Rittenhouse  Square ;  Peabody's  and  others,  on  Walnut,  opposite  Ritten- 
house Square;  Farquhar  Building,  Walnut,  below  3d;  and  many  others. 

Miscellaneous  Stone. — Ingersoll's  house,  Walnut  street,  Paterson  Quarries, 
N.  J. ;  Athenaeum,  from  Little  Falls,  N.  Y. ;  Dr.  Jackson's  store,  Arch  st., 
Caen  stone  ;  Dr.  Jayne's  stores,  &c.,  Quincy  Granite. 


868  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

was  invented  a  few  years  ago,  by  Mr.  EDWIN  YOUNG,  and  is  rapidly 
growing  into  favor.  The  Slate  is  nearly  oval,  and  is  framed  with 
a  single  strip  of  hard  wood,  fastened  together  by  a  secret  metal 
clasp,  not  seen  from  the  outside,  constituting  the  strongest  fasten- 
ing known.  About  3,000  cases  of  these  Slates,  averaging  ten 
dozen  each,  are  made  annually,  of  the  value  of  $27,000,  at  the 
factory  in  Philadelphia ;  but  when  introduced  into  the  Public 
Schools,  as  they  probably  will  be,  the  product  will  be  much  in- 
creased. Slate  has  also  been  converted  into  Billiard  Tables,  for 
which  it  is  said  to  be  the  best  material. 

Enameled  Slate  Mantels  are  now  made  by  Arnold  &  Wilson, 
manufacturers  of  Hot-air  Furnaces,  Parlor  Grates,  &c.,  who  have 
recently  erected  ovens  for  baking  on  the  enamel.  The  advantages 
of  these  are  a  high  degree  of  beauty,  combined  with  strength  and 
cheapness. 

Of  Soap-stone  the  manufactures  are  quite  limited,  though  the 
material  obtained  at  a  quarry  now  within  the  corporate  limits  of 
Philadelphia,  about  two  miles  above  Manayunk,  is  of  the  best  qual- 
ity. This  quarry  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  country  ;  was  opened 
before  the  Revolution  ;  but  until  it  came  into  the  possession  of  its 
present  enterprising  owner — SAMUEL  F.  PRINCE — its  value  was 
scarcely  appreciated.  Its  products  now  amount  to  about  6,000 
tons  annually,  and  are  disposed  of  principally  to  Iron  manufactu- 
rers along  the  Schuylkill,  in  Trenton,  &c. ;  and  five  hundred  tons 
were  shipped  last  year  to  Pittsburg,  and  small  quantities  on  order 
to  England. 

This  stone,  hitherto  little  used  for  economic  purposes,  is  adapted 
for  many  ;  particularly  for  fire-stone,  kitchen  sinks,  wash-tubs,  bath- 
tubs, and  especially  for  baths,  and  sizing  rollers  used  in  cotton  mills. 
For  the  last  purpose  it  possesses  the  advantage  of  not  being  affect- 
ed by  the  acids  ordinarily  used  in  sizing,  and  of  not  warping,  con- 
tracting, or  expanding  by  changes  of  temperature  and  moisture. 

Both  Slate  and  Steatite,  or  Soap-stone,  have  not  attained  their 
maximum  of  appreciation,  and  offer  excellent  opportunities  for 
the  enterprising  to  establish  new  manufactures. 


OILS.  369 


XXVI. 
Oils. 

The  following  revised  Report  gives  a  brief  bat  comprehensive 
description  of  the  Oil  manufacture  in  Philadelphia  : 

SIR  : — The  manufacture  of  Oils  in  Philadelphia  comprises  Linseed( 
Lard  and  Tallow,  Red,  and  Eosin  Oils — Linseed  constituting  much 
the  largest  business. 

In  the  manufacture  of  Linseed  Oil  there  are  five  mills  employed, 
generally  possessing  very  improved  machinery,  and  two  of  them  make 
each  1,200  gallons  of  Oil  and  ten  tons  of  Oil  Cake  per  day.  The 
material  used  for  making  this  Oil  is  flaxseed,  or  linseed,  imported  from 
Calcutta,  that  being  the  only  point  from  which  the  best  article  can  be 
obtained.  The  process  of  the  manufacture  of  this  Oil  is  as  follows : 
The  hard  seeds  are  passed  first  between  cast-iron  rollers,  in  order  to 
crack  the  shells.  The  rollers  are  sometimes  of  different  sizes,  so  that 
different  velocities  may  be  given  to  their  surfaces ;  this  enables  them  to 
draw  the  seeds  in,  and  to  perform  their  work  more  quickly.  Above 
the  rollers  is  a  hopper  containing  the  seed,  from  which  the  rollers  are 
fed.  In  some  places  the  rollers  are  not  used,  but  the  seed  is  at  once 
subjected  to  two  vertical  mill-stones,  or  runners,  revolving  on  a  hori- 
zontal bed.  "When  the  seed  is  sufficiently  bruised  by  either  or  both 
of  these  means,  it  is  placed  upon  heated  tables,  and  then  into  wool  bags, 
and  afterward  either  in  what  is  called  a  hydraulic  press,  or  wedge  pi-ess, 
and  pressed  until  the  seeds  come  out  of  the  bags  in  the  form  of  flat 
cakes.  The  Oil  thus  obtained  is  of  the  best  quality,  and  is  kept  dis- 
tinct from  that  obtained  by  the  after  processes. 

The  residue,  which  is  known  as  Oil  Cake,  is  largely  exported  to  Eu- 
rope, where  it  is  highly  valued  as  food  for  cattle,  this  compensating 
partially  for  the  importation  of  the  raw  material.  Its  value,  however, 
in  this  country  as  food  for  stock,  has  not  been  fully  appreciated,  but  is 
growing  more  into  favor  of  late  years. 

In  addition  to  the  regular  establishments  making  Linseed  Oil,  the 
manufacturers  of  Zinc  Paints,  Colors,  White  Lead,  etc.,  frequently 
make  sufficient  Oil  to  supply  their  own  necessities. 

There  are  eight  concerns  in  the  manufacture  of  Lard,  Tallow,  and 
Red  Oils,  of  which  the  animal  product  amounts  to  nearly  as  much  as 
that  of  Linseed  Oil.  The  Lard  or  Tallow  is  placed  into  bags,  and  then 
under  a  press  heated  to  a  temperature  from  forty  to  sixty  degrees, 
remaining  as  long  as  the  Oil  will  drip  from  it ;  thus  the  Oil  is  pressed 
out,  the  extract  being  known  as  Lard  and  Tallow  Oils,  and  the  bal- 
ance as  Stearin.  The  Stearin  is  then  submitted  to  a  second  process. 
80 


370  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

being  placed  under  a  powerful  steam  press,  which  is  also  heated  by 
steam,  and  the  extract  is  termed  Red  Oil,  largely  used  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  soaps. 

Tallow  and  lard  are  not  the  only  materials  used  in  the  production  of 
Red  Oils,  but  Palm  Oil  is  largely  employed,  which  is  obtained  from 
Guinea,  Africa,  in  a  state  thick  like  lard  somewhat,  undergoing  pre- 
cisely the  same  process  as  the  former. 

An  Oil  is  also  made  from  rosin,  or  gum  of  the  pine-tree,  and  known 
as  Rosin  Oil.  This  gum  contains  several  ingredients  which,  when  sub- 
mitted to  the  process  of  distillation,  are  separated  and  are  each  useful, 
but  are  of  entirely  different  natures,  being  Oil,  Acid,  Naphtha,  Pitch, 
and  Tar.  The  Oil  is,  by  various  manipulations  known  to  the  manu- 
facturers, converted  into  Lubricating,  Tanners',  and  Painters'  Oil.  The 
Naphtha,  after  being  properly  refined,  will  burn  with  a  clear,  brilliant 
light,  nearly  equal  to  gas,  but  much  cheaper,  and  well  adapted  to  be 
used  where  gas  has  not  yet  been  introduced.  There  are  four  establish- 
ments within  the  city  proper,  who  have  facilities  for  manufacturing 
from  the  rosin  of  commerce,  about  two  thousand  gallons  per  day. 
Another  establishment  erected  at  "  Chester,"  about  eighteen  miles 
south  of  this  city,  is  of  much  larger  capacity  than  either  of  the  pre- 
ceding, and  from  which  some  twelve  hundred  gallons  could  be  pro- 
duced daily.  These  Oils  range  in  price  from  twenty  to  fifty  cents  per 
gallon.  The  capital  invested  is  over  $150,000. 

The  bleaching  and  pressing  of  Sperm  and  Whale  Oils  is  another 
considerable  item  connected  with  the  Oil  business  of  Philadelphia. 
One  of  the  firms,  of  which  there  are  four,  is  successor  to  the  parties 
who  claim  to  have  been  the  first  to  introduce  the  process  of  the  chemi- 
cal bleaching  of  Oils  in  this  country. 

The  refining  of  these  Oils  from  the  crude  state  greatly  improves 
their  burning  and  lubricating  qualities,  giving  to  them  a  white,  clear 
appearance,  by  taking  out  that  residue  known  as  foots'  and  spermaceti. 

Oils  pressed  and  bleached  in  the  coldest  months  of  winter,  or  by 
means  of  a  freezing  temperature  by  ice,  are  the  only  Oils  used  in  cold 
weather  that  remain  always  entirely  fluid. 

The  manufacture  of  Rail-road  and  Cart  Greases,  made  of  Rosin  and 
other  Oils,  is  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent.  These  Greases, 
which  are  now  extensively  used  for  the  oiling  of  machinery,  vehich  a, 
etc.,  have  grown  much  into  favor  of  late.  They  are  considered  much 
more  economical  than  Oils,  and,  as  a  lubricator,  vastly  superior. 

There  are  but  two  establishments  in  this  business,  R.  S.  HUBBARD 
&  SON  and  TAWS  &  BEERS,  the  former  of  which  is  the  largest  in  the 

08 


PAPER    HANGINGS. 


371 


United  States.     They  both  produce  daily  about  3,200  Ibs.,  at  an  aver- 
age price  of  eight  cents  per  pound.  0.  W.  KIBBIK. 
The  following  is  a  summary  of  the  aggregate  production  : 


Establishment*. 

Capital. 

Hand*.          1  Annual  Production 

Linseed   Oil    and     ) 
Oil  Cake,               J 

5 

$4.50,000 

125 

J  $687,500 
>    276,730 

Lard  and  Tallow, 

8 

200,000 

60 

600,000 

Kosin  Oil, 

5 

150,000 

15 

187,000 

Sperm  and   Whale,  J 

bleaching  and  re-  > 

4 

200,000 

30 

300,000 

fining,                     ) 

K.  K.  &  Cart  Greases, 

2 

40,000 

15 

80,000 

Total, 

24 

$1,040,000 

245 

$2,131,230 

XXVII. 
Paper  Hangings. 

Decorative  Paper-Hangings  came  into  use  about  200  years  ago, 
and  are  said  to  have  been  copied  from  the  Chinese.  The  man- 
ufacture of  them  iu  this  country,  however,  only  dates  about  thirty 
years  ago  ;  and  Philadelphia  claims  the  credit  of  having  first  estab- 
lished it.  The  progress  made,  however,  in  design  and  elaboration  of 
workmanship,  has  been  so  rapid,  that  now  the  importation  of  foreign 
Papers  is  an  unimportant  item — said  to  be  not  more  than  five  per 
cent,  of  the  whole  amount  consumed,  and  confined  to  French  goods 
of  the  first  quality.  For  more  than  twenty  years,  Philadelphia  has 
supplied  all  the  principal  American  markets,  including  New  York 
and  Boston,  with  the  best  American  made  Papers ;  and  though 
since  the  establishment  of  the  business  in  this  city,  a  large  number  of 
factories  have  been  started  at  various  points  in  New  England  and 
in  New  York,  she  continues  to  produce  a  large  share  of  the  supe- 
rior qualities — generally  quite  equal  to  the  best  French  manufacture. 
The  cheap  and  low  grades,  which  constitute  the  bulk  of  the  produc- 
tion in  other  places,  our  manufacturers  do  not  make  to  any  extent. 
The  medium  qualities  and  the  finest  Velvet,  Velvet  and  Gold,  and 
Satin-surfaced  Papers  are  made,  but  none  of  the  "one  cent  per 
square  yard  "  goods.  The  printing  usually  is  what  is  termed 
Block  Printing,  though  some  first-class  machines  are  in  use  in  the 
principal  establishments. 

The  processes  of  manufacturing  Paper  Hangings  are  briefly  as 
follows : — The  paper  comes  from  the  mill  in  rolls  about  1,200 
yards  long,  and  from  twenty  to  thirty-five  inches  wide  ;  costing  from 


372  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

nine  to  fourteen  cents  per  pound,  the  average  price  being  about 
eleven  cents.  The  stock  generally  used  here  is  said  to  be  heavier, 
though  costing  less  than  that  employed  in  the  best  French  papers, 
and  therefore  free  from  the  absorption  of  moisture,  which  almost 
invariably  disfigures  the  surface  of  those  made  in  New  York  and 
Boston.  The  pattern  having  been  first  carefully  drawn,  is  then 
pricked,  and  the  outlines  of  the  various  tints  are  pounced  each 
on  a  separate  wood  block  made  of  pear-tree,  mounted  in  pine. 
These  blocks  are  pressed  on  the  sieves  of  color  and  then  applied 
to  the  paper,  each  block  following  the  other  on  the  guide-marks 
left  by  the  previous  impression.  An  idea  may  be  formed  of  the 
enterprise  and  labor  required  to  produce  some  decorative  Paper 
Hangings,  when  we  state  that  on  a  single  one  of  them,  represent- 
ing a  chase  in  a  forest,  including  the  animals,  birds,  and  attributes 
of  the  chase,  exhibited  at  the^World's  Fair,  12,000  blocks  were 
employed. 

In  making  Flock  Paper,  the  pattern  is  first  printed  in  size,  and 
then  with  a  preparation  of  varnish  or  Japan  gold  size.  When 
this  is  partly  dry,  colored  flock,  prepared  from  wools,  is  sifted 
on  the  varnish  pattern,  to  which  it  adheres.  When  gilding  is  in- 
troduced, the  leaf-metal  is  laid  on  the  varnish  pattern  ;  or,  if  worked 
in  bronze-powder,  it  is  brushed  over  with  a  hare's  foot. 

The  designs  are  principally  original,  and  are  largely  supplied 
by  the  Female  School  of  Design  established  in  this  city,  and  which 
has  already  made  important  contributions  toward  elevating  the 
standard  of  correct  taste. 

During  the  last  year  there  were  six  Paper  Hanging  factories 
in  Philadelphia,  besides  various  small  establishments  where  a  few 
hands  are  employed.  The  proprietors  of  the  principal  factories 
were  HOWELL  &  BROTHERS,  BLANCHARD  &  ROCK,  Louis  BELROSE, 
BURTON  &  LANING,  HART,  MONTGOMERY  &  Co.,  and  J.  E.  VAN 
METER.  Misfortune  has  sorely  visited  one  or  two  of  the  establish- 
ments, but  it  is  probable  that  no  important  changes  will  be  made. 
The  factory  of  Howell  &  Brothers,  situated  at  Nineteenth  and  Spruce 
streets,  is  a  four-story  brick  structure,  three  hundred  and  ninety-six 
feet  by  eighty — undoubtedly  the  largest  in  the  United  States,  and 
probably  larger  than  any  similar  European  manufactory, 
•uloaiava-vniui,  • 


ROPE,  CORDAGE,  TWINES.  373 

The  following  are  the  statistics  of  the  business,  as  made  tip  for 
us  by  a  leading  manufacturer : — 

Blank  Paper  consumed,  1,250  tons  at  11  cents  per  lb.,          _— •      -  $275,000 
French  and  American  White  Clay  and  Whiting,  average  364  toni, 

at$10perton,          -_...._.    -'r .  ''•  3,640 

Colors,          -     V.-4  «*£'/! -O   ;Jj»!,/L  ?     _         -        -         -         -  44,040 

Flocks,  (Shearings  of  Broad  Cloth,)     -        -        -        ...  1,860 

Oil,              .,     ~- .,.,.-        -,  4,600 

Gold  Size, 3,150 

GoldLeaf,        9l*n~itil  lij'^J-i,  ...   'J !„,•»;  .        .  20,100 

Glue  and  Sizing,          .........  31,500 

Coal,  1,875  tons,  at  $4,         -        -        mf/OTftfj  <T)  J;  -        -        -  7'500 

Hands  employed,  456 ;  one  third  males — wages,  -        -        ...  123,240 

Cost  of  Printing  Blocks  and  Designing,       -        ....  11,000 

Total, r   j  T^   h,  -..'.-'    •        $525,630 

Annual  product,  $800,000. 

XXVIII. 

Rope,  Cordage,  Twines,  &c. 

The  term  Cordage  usually  comprehends  all  the  various  sizes  of 
Rope,  Cords,  Twines,  Lines,  <fec.  In  this  city,  there  were,  as  early 
as  1810,  no  less  than  fifteen  Rope-walks;  and  at  the  present  time 
there  are  about  that  number  of  Cordage  manufacturers ;  but  now 
one  single  establishment  turns  out  annually  a  greater  product  than 
all  then  made.  The  materials  used  are  Manilla,  Russian,  Italian, 
and  American  Hemp ;  and,  for  Fishing  Cords  and  Twines,  Cotton, 
Flnx,  and  the  best  qualities  of  Linen  Thread.  Manilla  Hemp  is 
the  fibrous  inner  bark  of  a  species  of  Plantain,  growing  in  the 
Phillipine  Islands,  whence  it  is  imported  into  this  country. 
The  American  Hemp  used  is  grown  chiefly  in  Missouri  and  Ken- 
tucky. A  considerable  amount  of  Russian  Hemp  is  also  used ;  and 
Jute  is  now  employed  to  a  considerable  extent,  in  the  manufacture 
of  Cords,  Bagging.  &c. 

The  present  condition  of  the  business  may  perhaps  be  best  illus- 
trated by  reference  to  one  or  two  of  the  leading  establishments. 
The  largest  manufacturers  in  the  city  are  WEAVER,  FITUBR  &  Co., 
who  are  also  among  the  very  largest  in  the  United  States.  They 
are  the  successors  of  one  of  the  oldest  Rope  manufacturers  in  the 
city;  Mr.  Weaver's  father  having  founded  the  establishment  in 
30* 


374  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

1816.  The  firm  have  now  two  factories  in  operation  ;  one  of  these, 
for  making  Manilla  and  tarred  Cordage,  is  located  on  the  German- 
town  Road,  near  the  first  toll-gate ;  and  the  other,  for  the  manu- 
facture of  Fine  Yarn,  Jute  Rope,  Cords,  &c.(  on  Seventh  street, 
above  Columbia  Avenue.  These  two  factories  are  capable  of  turn- 
ing 4,500,000  pounds  of  different  kinds  of  Rope  per  annum,  or 
about  seven  tons  daily.  The  product  embraces  every  size  and 
description  of  Cordage,  from  a  bed-cord  to  the  largest  size  gang 
of  rigging.  Marline,  Hambroline,  and  Spun  Yarn  are  also  exten- 
sively made  by  them. 

This  firm  were  the  first  to  introduce,  in  this  city,  the  use  of  ma- 
chinery for  spinning  yarns  for  Manilla  Rope  and  Cordage,  which 
has  nearly  superseded  the  former  slow  process  of  spinning  by  hand. 
The  quantity  turn-ed  out  by  their  present  machinery,  employing 
about  two  hundred  hands,  would,  by  the  former  process  of  hand- 
spinning,  require  at  least  eight  hundred,  and  perhaps  one  thousand 
men.  Their  machinery  is  all  of  the  latest  improved  construction, 
and  is  said  to  be  more  complete  than  that  in  any  similar  establish- 
ment in  the  United  States.  The  firm  pride  themselves  upon  the 
manufacture  of  a  superior  article  of  Cordage ;  and  their  reputa- 
tion, in  this  respect,  in  the  South  and  West,  is  well  established. 

Messrs.  SPROAT,  M'!NTYRE  &  Co.  are  also  large  manufacturers 
of  many  descriptions  of  Cordage  ;  and  were  the  first  to  introduce 
here  the  manufacture  of  fine  yarn  Jute  Rope,  which  they  make 
from  £  inch  to  1  inch  in  size.  This  establishment  commenced  busi- 
ness in  1850,  as  J.  &  H.  Sproat,  under  which  name  it  was  conducted 
until  1857,  when  Mr.  John  M'Intyre,  who  occupied  their  present 
place  of  business,  23  North  Front  street,  and  had  a  Rope- walk  on 
Frankford  Road,  was  admitted  into  the  firm.  The  manufacture  is 
carried  on  still  at  the  latter  place,  and  also  at  their  factory  at  Lam- 
bertville,  on  the  Delaware,  where  water-power  is  derived  from  the 
feeder  of  the  Raritan  Canal.  These  two  factories  use  fifty  bales 
of  Jute  Hemp  in  a  week,  weighing  each  three  hundred  pounds, 
and  each  making  that  number  of  pounds  of  £  to  1  inch  Rope. 
They  employ  about  seventy  hands,  one-third  of  whom  are  females. 
This  firm  claim  to  make  more  Twines  and  Lines  of  every  descrip- 
tion, such  as  Wool  Twine,  Hemp  and  Mineral  Water  Twines, 
Baling  Twine,  Broom  Twine,  &c.,  as  well  as  Linen  Yarns,  Veni- 


SADDLES,    HARNESS,    ETC.  375 

tian  Filling,  and  Carpet  Chain,  than  any  other  house  in  the  city. 
The  Mineral  Water  Twines  made  by  them  cannot  easily  be  sur- 
passed; and  in  the  employment  of  fine  Jute  Hemp  for  this  purpose, 
they  claim  to  have  preceded  all  other  manufacturers.  They  have 
lately  introduced  Boon's  Patent  Laying  Machines,  and  also  Boon's 
Forming  Machines  ;  and  they  now  believe  they  possess  a  larger  set 
of  machinery  for  this  branch  than  any  other  establishment  in  the 
State. 

Besides  these  two  principal  manufacturers,  there  are  at  least  a 
dozen  others,  who  make  nearly  every  description  of  smaller  Cord- 
age, and  who  generally  aim  to  produce  articles  of  superior  quality, 
so  common  a  feature  in  Philadelphia  manufactures.  We  have  seen, 
in  some  of  these  smaller  establishments,  Cords,  Twines,  Lines,  &c., 
for  various  purposes,  truly  remarkable  for  accuracy  and  smooth- 
ness of  finish. 

The  whole  capital  invested  in  the  business  is  $450,000.  The 
other  statistics  of  the  business  for  1857,  are  furnished  us  as  follows  : 

Raw  Material. 

1,500  tons  Manilla  Hemp,  at  $175,     ...       y:;>-      $262,500 
1,250     "    Western  Hemp,  at  $150,    -        -;      <-    v  -_    ,    -,          187,500 

450,000 
300  hands  employed,  averaging  $300  a  year  each,  -    _   »  ^         90,000 

$540,000 
Product. 

1,500  tons  of  Manilla  Cordage, 
1,000     "     of  Hemp, 

2,500     "     average  price  10  cents  per  lb.,          ...          $560,000 
Besides  the  above,  Twines  and   Cords   of  various  kinds  were 

made,  amounting  to  at  least      ..---•  250,000 

Total,        -  .  .  "-        -,"      -        -,      -        -       %      -•»_       $810,000 

The  prices  of  Cordage,  the  present  year,  are  much  less  than 
those  during  last  year. 

XXIX. 

Saddles,  Harness,  Whips,  Trunks,  &c. 

The  manufacture  of  Saddlery  in  this  country  is  distinguished 
from  that  in  any  other  part  of  the  world  by  the  immense  variety 
of  styles  and  qualities  which  are  produced.  We  are  informed  by 
a  leading  manufacturer,  that  of  Saddles  there  are  probably  not 


376  PHILADELPHIA    AXD   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

less  than  five  hundred  various  styles  and  qualities,  with  a  proportion- 
ate quantity  of  Bridles,  Bridle  Mountings,  Martingales,  Girths, 
Circingles,  Stirrup  Leathers,  Saddle  Bags,  Medical  Bags,  <fec. 
Of  Harness,  for  Coach,  Gig,  Dearborn,  Sulky,  Stage,  and  Omni- 
bus, there  are  perhaps  three  hundred  styles  and  qualities  ;  while,  in 
coarse  Harness,  for  Carts,  Drays,  Wagons,  and  Plows,  there  is  also 
great  diversity. 

It  is  a  fact  well-known  to  persons  who  are  familiar  with  the 
history  of  Industry  during  the  past  few  years,  that  the  Saddle  and 
Harness- makers  of  Philadelphia  have  invariably  carried  off  the 
"  palm"  at  local  Exhibitions  and  Fairs ;  and  the  fact  that  the 
Prize  Medal  was  awarded  to  a  Philadelphia  firm  at  the  World's 
Fair,  in  London,  cannot  be  unknown  to  any  observant  person,  who 
has  traversed  Seventh  street,  North  of  Chestnut.  The  special  causes 
conducive  to  superiority  in  the  Harness  manufacture  are  manifold ; 
all  the  raw  material  consumed,  especially  the  Leather  and  the  Hard- 
ware, are  made  here  of  the  very  best  quality  ;  the  workmen  have 
permanent  employment,  and  the  manufacturers  have  an  established 
reputation  for  faithful  work,  which  they  are  determined  to  main- 
tain. The  solvency  and  character  of  the  trade  in  Philadelphia, 
enable  them  to  buy  at  the  very  lowest  rates ;  and  the  system  of 
manufacturing  involves  much  less  ostentation,  and,  consequently, 
less  expense  than  in  many  other  cities  where  the  sales-house  and 
factory  are  distinct  and  separate  establishments,  even  if  owned  by 
the  same  parties.  In  this  city,  the  goods  are  generally  manufac- 
tured and  offered  for  sale  under  the  same  roof.  The  ingenuity  of 
the  manufacturers  too  has  been  repeatedly  and  successfully  called 
into  exercise,  and  the  very  best  of  the  new  styles  of  Saddles  made 
in  the  North  were  first  originated  and  introduced  by  one  of  our 
large  houses;  while  improvements  upon  the  old  English  styles  ren- 
der those  made  in  Philadelphia  in  several  respects  superior  to  the 
foreign.  In  the  new  styles,  of  the  Spanish  and  Mexican  order 
generally,  the  utmost  care  is  taken  to  guard  against  injury  to  the 
horse,  and  also  to  produce  (which  they  have,  beyond  all  other 
places,)  the  most  comfortable  and  pleasant  Saddle,  for  both  horse 
and  rider.  Hog-skin  continues  to  be  the  principal  Leather  con- 
sumed in  the  best  Saddles,  on  account  of  its  softness  and  ca- 
pacity for  exposure  to  the  sun  and  rain  ;  though  Buckskin  is  also 


SADDLE-TREES — WHIPS.  377 

frequently  used  for  the  seat,  and  for  the  horns  of  Ladies'  Saddles 
particularly. 

For  the  manufacture  of  SADDLE-TREES,  there  are  two  establish- 
ments— the  proprietors  being  CONDIT  PRUDDEN,  and  AARON 
SCHELLENGER.  The  last-named  has  been  in  the  business  for 
twenty-eight  years.  His  Trees  are  all  cut  out  of  the  solid  ma- 
terial by  the  axe  and  the  "  shave,"  no  bent  work  being  made  in 
this  shop.  He  employs  eight  hands. 

Mr.  CONDIT  PRUDDEN  has  had  an  experience  of  over  thirty  years 
in  the  manufacture  of  Saddle-Trees,  and  about  one-third  of  that 
time  in  Philadelphia.  He  conducts  the  business  on  a  more  exten- 
sive scale,  it  is  said,  than  any  other  Saddle-Tree  maker  in  the  Union. 
His  manufactory  is  a  four-story  building ;  the  machinery  is  pro- 
pelled by  steam-power ;  and  the  capacity  of  his  works  is  sufficient 
to  turn  out  1,200  finished  "  Trees"  per  week.  About  thirty  hands 
are  at  present  employed.  A  list  of  "  Trees"  made  in  this  establish- 
ment would  include  all  the  ordinary  descriptions,  and  some  pat- 
ented ones.  Saddle-Trees  are  shipped  from  Philadelphia  to  New 
York  and  New  England,  and  largely  to  the  West  and  South. 

The  Saddle  and  Harness  manufacture  employs  a  capital  of 
three-quarters  of  a  million  of  dollars,  nine  hundred  and  sixty  hands, 
and  yields  a  product  of  $1,500,000.  Two  of  the  oldest  houses, 
W.  S.  HANSELL  &  SONS,  established  for  forty-five  years,  and 
M.  MAGEE  &  Co.,  have  branch  establishments  in  New  Orleans. 
Orders  for  fine  work  are  occasionally  executed  for  Europe ;  while 
the  coarser  qualities  are  shipped  to  various  parts  of  the  South  and 
West,  and  also  sent  in  considerable  quantities  to  Mexico  and  Cuba. 
The  manufacture  consumes  annually  over  one  hundred  thousand 
sides  of  Leather. 

2.     WHIPS. 

The  manufacture  of  Whips  is  a  business  entirely  distinct  from 
that  of  Saddles  and  Harness ;  but  the  relations  existing  between 
them  are  so  intimate,  that  they  may  properly  be  considered  in  the 
same  article. 

The  Whip  manufactories  of  Philadelphia  are  said  to  be  the 
first  established,  and  among  the  most  extensive  in  the  Union.  The 
principal  factories  are  those  of  PEARSON  &  SALLADA,  and  CHARLES 
P.  CALDWELL  ;  but,  outside  of  these,  large  quantities  of  Raw-hide 


378  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

and  common  Whips  are  made  by  individuals,  for  saddlers'  use.  The 
factory  of  Messrs.  Pearson  &  Sallada  is  said  to  be  the  largest  in  this 
country  ;  but  we  have  no  particular  information  with  regard  to  it. 
The  factory  of  Mr.  CHAKLES  P.  CALDWELLIS  located  at  Mantua,  in 
West  Philadelphia,  and  there  all  kinds  of  Whips  are  made,  from 
those  which  sell  at  $1  25  per  dozen,  to  those  which  sell  at  $600  per 
dozen.  The  materials  used  for  the  stock  are  Whalebone,  Rattan, 
Fancy  Woods,  Leather,  Gut,  Gum,  Pitch,  Glue  ;  for  the  lashes, 
Leather,  Gut,  and  Thread  ;  for  the  handles,  Wood,  Ivory,  and 
Bone ;  and  for  the  mountings,  Gold,  Silver,  Ivory,  Pearl,  &c. 
Machines  are  used  for  plaiting  or  weaving  the  gut  covering.  Tliis 
machine  is  a  circular  frame,  around  which  is  a  series  of  bevel  cogs, 
driven  by  a  crank-handle  in  the  hand  of  the  operator  ;  the  whip 
stands  in  the  centre,  and  receives  its  gut  from  numerous  spools 
which  surround  it;  the  machine  at  the  same  time  plaiting  the  gut 
over  the  stock.  They  are  of  different  capacities :  one  plaiting 
sixteen  threads,  another  twenty-four. 

The  great  difference  in  the  cost  of  Whips,  some  selling  as  high 
as  $50  each,  is  mainly  in  the  character  of  the  mountings.  Mr. 
Caldwell  uses,  in  all  his  Whips,  the  very  best  material ;  and  the 
reputation  of  his  manufactures  is  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the 
United  States.  He  employs  about  thirty-five  hands.  Fully  one 
third  of  his  products  are  sent  to  New  York  and  Boston. 

Canes  are  also  made  in  both  these  factories,  and  the  materials 
and  mountings  are  often  exceedingly  rare  and  costly. 

The  Whip  and  Cane  manufacture  suffers  severely  from  the 
enormous  expansion  of  ladies'  skirts,  and  the  consequent  demand 
for  Whalebone  hoops.  The  price  of  Whalebone  has  recently 
quadrupled,  and  that  which  formerly  could  be  purchased  for  thirty- 
five  cents  per  pound  now  costs  $1  20  per  pound  in  its  rough  state, 
and  $1  75  ready  cut.  It  appears  that  neither  Whips  nor  Canes  could 
prevent  the  advance  I  The  annual  product  of  the  Whip  and  Cane 
manufacture  in  Philadelphia,  estimating  for  that  made  outside  of 
the  factories  above-mentioned,  is  at  least  $175,000. 

3.     TRUNKS   AND    PORTMANTEAUS. 

In  this  branch  of  Leather  manufactures,  a  capital  of  $100,000 
is  invested,  two  hundred  and  fifty  hands  are  employed,  and  an  ag- 


SHIP  AND  BOAT  BUILDING.  379 

gregate  value  of  $313,000  annually  produced.  The  same  care  in 
the  selection  of  materials,  and  attention  to  finish,  that  we  remarked 
in  the  Saddlery  and  Harness  manufacture,  are  noticeable  in  this  ; 
and  not  merely  in  the  finer  qualities,  but  neatness  and  taste,  as  well 
as  strength,  characterize  the  cheaper  varieties. 

Philadelphia  Portmanteaus  are  deservedly  famous  for  their  com- 
bination of  strength  and  capaciousness,  with  lightness.  At  the 
World's  Fair,  in  London,  it  will  be  remembered  by  many,  that  a 
Portmanteau,  made  in  this  city,  costing  $500,  received  the  First 
Premium,  notwithstanding  competition  from  all  countries.  New 
York  procures  the  ordinary  qualities  of  Trunks  and  Portmanteaus 
from  Newark,  and  other  places,  but  the  very  finest  are  obtained 
exclusively,  we  are  informed,  from  this  city. 

The  London  Commissioners  remark:  "  The -workmanship  and 
finish  of  the  best  class  of  goods  are  unexceptionable ;  and  even  in 
the  cheaper  and  lower  qualities  the  style  in  appearance  is  a  matter 
of  much  consideration,  and  displays  a  decided  advance,  in  point 
of  taste,  upon  the  unsightly  character  of  the  cheaper  kind  of  trav- 
eling conveyances  of  England." 

XXXI. 

Ship  and  Boat  Building. 

It  is  no  idle  nor  foundationless  boast  to  say  that  the  Ship-Build- 
ers of  Philadelphia  have  contributed  materially  to  the  present 
commercial  prosperity  and  supremacy  of  the  United  States.  The 
history  of  commerce  will  establish  the  fact  incontestibly,  that  the 
rapid  rise  of  the  Commercial  Marine  of  the  United  States  is  due 
mainly  to  the  superior  swiftness  of  American  vessels;  and  it  must 
moreover  be  conceded  that  the  Ships  constructed  in  Philadelphia 
were,  for  a  long  period  of  time,  the  "  crack  sailers"  of  the  ocean. 
The  pivot  board,  so  essential  to  the  speed  of  Sailing  Vessels,  was 
originated  and  brought  to  perfection  in  this  city  ;  and  cotton  duck 
and  horizontal  canvas,  which  are  esteemed  the  best  materials 
for  Sails,  were  invented  by  a  citizen  of  Philadelphia.  The  speed 
of  Philadelphia-built  Ships  is  demonstrated  by  the  records  of 
short  passages,  and  their  staunchness  is  established  by  the  low 
average  rates  of  insurance. 

During  the  last  ten  years  the  attention  of  the  private  Ship- 


380  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES 

Builders  of  Philadelphia  has  been  largely  directed  to  the  construc- 
tion of  Steamers.  Within  that  time,  the  firm  of  Birely  &  Son 
has  built  one  hundred  and  seven  Steamers,  having  an  aggregate 
tonnage  of  21,018  tons.  A  list  of  the  Vessels  that  have  been 
constructed  at  this  port  would  include  a  number  of  important 
ones,  as  the  Steamship  "Pennsylvania,"  "City  of  Richmond," 
the  Steam  Propeller  "  S.  S.  Lewis,"  1039  tons  burden  ;  the 
Steamer  "  Star  of  the  South,"  built  for  R.  F.  Loper,  of  Philadel- 
phia, for  Boston  ;  the  "  General  Knox,"  famous  for  her  good 
qualities  and  speed;  the  "Carolina,"  which  her  builders,  C.  & 
N.  Cramp,  claim  is  the  fastest  Propeller  afloat;  the  Clipper  Ships 
"Manitou,"  1,500  tons,  the  "Bridge water,"  1525  tons,  and  the 
Propeller  "Phineas  Sprague,"  1,000  tons,  built  for  the  Philadel- 
phia and  Boston  -line  by  the  young  firm  of  Birely  &  Linn,  who 
are  now  building  a  1,200  ton  Propeller  for  the  same  line.  The 
various  Propeller  and  Steamship  Engines  and  Iron  Boats  that 
have  been  constructed  here,  were  adverted  to  in  the  article  on 
"  Iron  and  its  Manufactures." 

But  the  supremacy  which  Philadelphia  claims  over  all  other 
cities  in  Marine  Architecture,  is  in  her  Government  Navy  Yard 
work.  The  Navy  Yard  in  this  city  is  alike  remarkable  for  its 
success  in  constructing  vessels  that  are  acknowledged  to  be  the 
equals  of  any  in  the  world,  and  for  the  neglect  and  positive  oppo- 
sition of  the  Government  in  providing  equipments.  The  area  is 
eighteen  acres,*  enclosed  on  three  sides  by  a  substantial  brick 
wall,  the  other  fronting  upon  the  river.  The  space,  it  will  be 
perceived,  is  ample  for  the  construction  of  the  largest  Vessels, 
though  many  of  their  essentials,  as  engines,  chains,  anchors,  etc., 
are  made  outside  of  the  walls.  The  moulding  lofts  for  modeling 
Ships-of-War  are  the  most  spacious  in  the  country.  There  are 
two  ship-houses,  one  of  which,  270  feet  long,  103  feet  high,  and 
84  feet  wide,  is  the  largest  in  the  United  States.  The  other  is 

*  At  our  request,  the  Commandant's  courteous  Secretary,  HENRY  S. 
ORABBE,  had  the  whole  area  of  the  Navy  Yard  measured,  and  ascertained 
that  it  contained  eighteen  acres  within  the  present  walls ;  but  he  informs 
us,  that  an  assurance  is  given,  by  parties  interested,  that  the  two  large  lots 
lying  contiguous  to,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Yard,  will  be  purchased  by 
the  United  States  this  season,  and  added  to  it. 


THE    NAVY    YARD.  381 

210  feet  in  length,  80  feet  in  height,  and  14  feet  in  width.  The 
Sectional  Floating  Dry  Dock  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other.  There 
are  nine  sections,  equal  in  dimensions,  100  feet  long,  30  feet  wide, 
and  11  feet  deep.  The  water  is  pumped  out  in  about  two  hours  by 
four  high-pressure  engines,  of  12-inch  cylinders,  and  24-inch  stroke, 
and  8-feet  beams.  They  are  of  simple  construction,  but  answer  their 
purpose  admirably.  The  conveniences  for  docking  Vessels  are  ex- 
cellent. Two  or  even  four  Vessels  can  be  docked  at  the  same 
time,  and  placed  on  the  Rail-ways  in  the  yard  at  the  head  of  the 
Dock  by  the  Hydraulic  Engine,  which  has  already  proved  its 
power  by  hauling  up  the  "  City  of  Pittsburg,"  a  first-class  Steamer 
of  the  Commercial  Marine,  and  placing  her  far  above  the  reach 
of  the  water,  convenient  for  the  operations  of  the  mechanics. 
The  Basin  is  constructed  chiefly  of  Wood,  and  does  not  retain 
dampness — a  serious  objection  to  those  of  stone.  The  entire  cost 
of  this  noble  Dock  was  $813,742.* 

The  number  of  workmen  employed  at  the  Navy  Yard  ranges 
from  five  hundred  to  thirteen  hundred,  averaging  eight  hundred. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  about  twelve  hundred  men  at 
work,  principally  on  the  new  Sloop  "  Lancaster."  Their  occu- 
pations are  divided  as  follows :  Shipwrights,  Sawyers,  Borers 
and  Carpenters'  Laborers,  Smiths,  Joiners,  Gun-carriage  Makers. 
Caulkers,  Reamers,  Spinners  (oakum),  Pickers  (oakum),  Sail- 
makers,  Mast  and  Spar-makers,  Riggers,  Painters,  Boat-builders, 
Plumbers,  Block-makers,  Engineers,  Masons,  House  Carpenters, 
and  ordinary  Laborers. 

The  list  of  Vessels  that  have  been  built  at  this  Yard  includes 
not  one  that  failed  from  bad  construction  or  inferior  material. 
The  history  of  the  Yard  is  a  succession  of  successes.  We  have 
not  the  necessary  data  to  enumerate  them  all,  but  herewith  submit  a 

•  At  Christian-street  Wharf,  Messrs.  J.  SIMPSON  &  NEILL  have  a  Sec- 
tional Floating  Dry  Dock,  constructed  on  the  same  principle  as  the  above, 
and  capable  of  docking  the  largest  merchant  vessel.  The  water,  we  are 
informed,  can  be  pumped  out  in  one  hour,  and  an  eighteen  hundred  ton 
merchantman  docked  in  the  same  time. 

31 


382 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


List  of  Vessels  of  War  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  built  in  Philadelphia,  and 
now  in  service,  as  per  Official  Register,  for  1858. 


Name. 

Guns. 

Tonnage. 

When  Built. 

SHIPS   OF   THE   LINE. 

120 

3241 

1S37 

84 

2633 

1S20 

FRIGATES. 

United  States  

50 

1607 

1797 

50 

1726 

1843 

SLOOPS  OF  WAR. 

22 

939 

1846 

20 

783 

1828 

Dale  

16 

566 

1839 

SCREW   STEAMERS. 

40 

3200 

1855 

Lancaster  ...(2d  class)  

SIDE-WHEEL   STEAMERS. 

18 
10 

2360 
1692 

1858 
1841 

15 

2450 

1850 

STORE   VESSEL. 

Relief  

4fiS 

1836 

Besides  these  we  might  mention  the  "Arctic,"  memorable  for 
her  connection  with  the  Kane  expedition ;  the  "  Shubric,"  used 
on  the  Coast  Survey  ;  and  the  "  Princeton,"  celebrated  in  her  day 
as  the  swiftest  Vessel  afloat,  and  also  for  her  connection  with 
naval  operations  performed  at  Tera  Cruz.  She  was  rebuilt  at 
the  Gosport  Navy  Yard,  and  is  uow  degraded  to  be  a  Receiving- 
Ship  at  this  station. 

It  is  a  very  significant  fact,  established  by  the  history  of  the 
Naval  Marine,  that,  while  various  attempts  have  been  made  in 
other  American  eities  at  constructing  Naval  Steamers,  Philadel- 
phia is  as  yet  the  only  port  where  it  can  be  said  the  work  has 
been  done  successfully.  This,  however,  is  not  surprising,  inas- 
much as  all  the  elements  conducive  to  success  and  economy  in 
Marine  construction  are  concentrated  here  in  an  unusual  degree. 
Cheap  coal  and  iron,  the  best  mechanical  ability,  experience,  and 
facilities,  combine  to  render  Philadelphia  practically  the  most 
available  point  in  the  entire  Union  for  the  construction  of  Vessels 
of  every  grade  and  description. 

Besides  the  Ship-Builders,  there  are  six  concerns,  all  located  in 
the  old  district  of  Kensington,  employed  chiefly  in  Boat-Building, 
which  includes  Yawl  Boats,  Whale  Boats,  Life  Boats,  etc.  In  build- 
ing Yachts  they  have  been  very  successful.  The  Yacht  "  Decoy," 
designed  and  built  here,  we  are  informed,  has  challenged  the  world 
year  after  year  without  a  response.  Holmes'  Patent  Life  Boats,  very 
highly  spoken  of  by  competent  authority,  arc  built  at  this  port. 


SOAP    AND   CANDLES.  383 

The  minor  branches  connected  with  Ship-Building  are  all  carried 
on  here.  Sails  are  made  unsurpassed  in  quality  and  unequaled 
in  reputation.  The  sails  of  the  Yacht  "  Maria,"  of  the  New  York 
Squadron,  and  of  the  Yacht  "America,"  famous  for  her  triumphs 
over  the  English  in  a  contest  for  the  supremacy  of  the  seas,  were 
made  by  Mr.  Maull  of  this  city.  The  entire  business  of  Ship  and 
Boat-Building,  including  Masts  and  Spars,  Sails,  Blocks,  and 
Pumps,  judging  from  the  best  data  we  can  obtain  for  an  average 
of  five  years,  has  amounted  to  $1,760,000  annually. 

During  the  last  year,  and  even  for  two  years  past,  it  is  well 
known  that  the  shipping  interests  have  been  seriously  depressed, 
and  the  construction  of  new  Vessels  at  all  ports  was  exceedingly 
limited.  At  Philadelphia,  during  the  last  year,  one  hundred  and 
forty-seven  new  Vessels,  having  an  aggregate  tonnage  of  17,917 
tons,  were  admeasured  by  the  United  States  officers. 

XXXI. 

Soap  and  Candles. 

"The  quantity  of  Soap  consumed  by  a  nation,"  says  the  cele- 
brated Liebig,  in  his  Familiar  Letters  on  Chemistry,  "would  be 
no  inaccurate  measure  whereby  to  estimate  its  wealth  and  civiliza- 
tion. Political  economists,  indeed,  will  not  give  it  this  rank  ;  but, 
whether  we  regard  it  as  joke  or  earnest,  it  is  not  the  less  true  that, 
of  two  countries  equal  in  population,  we  may  declare  with  positive 
certainty  that  the  wealthiest  and  most  highly  civilized  is  that  which 
consumes  the  greatest  weight  of  Soap."  It  is  not,  however,  merely 
by  the  quantity  consumed  of  this  important  article,  that  the  distin- 
guished chemist  would  establish  its  claims  to  represent  the  civiliza- 
tion of  a  people.  The  vast  train  of  chemical,  manufacturing,  and 
commercial  operations  called  into  existence  for  its  economical  pro- 
duction, and  the  cheaper,  more  extended,  and  altogether  new  arts 
and  processes  incidentally  growing  out  of  these,  would,  even  with 
political  economists,  entitle  it  to  this  rank. 

The  materials  used  in  making  Soap  are  alkalies,  and  fatty  sub- 
stances, or  oils,  both  of  animal  and  vegetable  origin.  Of  the  for- 
mer, Potash,  Soda,  and  a  small  proportion  of  Lime,  are  employed. 
The  artificial  production  and  cheap  supply  of  Soda,  the  alkali 
chiefly  used,  from  common  salt,  introduced  about  the  beginning  of 
the  present  century,  has  since  that  time  completely  revolutionized 


384  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

the  business  in  Europe  and  this  country,  and  probably  within  the 
last  twenty  years  quadrupled  its  amount.  Of  fats  and  oils,  Tallow, 
Lard  and  Fish  Oils,  Palm,  Olive,  Linseed,  Cocoanut,  Sassafras, 
and  other  Oils,  and  Rosin,  are  the  principal.,  Their  chief  agency 
is  to  serve  as  a  vehicle  for  the  alkali,  upon  which  the  detergent 
properties  of  Soap  mainly  depend :  while  the  combination  of  the 
latter  with  the  fatty  acids,  generated  in  the  process  of  saponifica- 
tion,  subdues  its  caustic  qualities,  and  preserves  the  skin,  and  the 
texture  and  colors  of  fabrics.  Rosin  enters  into  the  composition  of 
common  Yellow  Soap,  and,  in  due  proportion,  improves,  while  an 
excess  deteriorates  the  quality  of  So#p — an  adulteration  largely 
practiced,  because  of  the  cheapness  of  common  Rosin.  Lime,  a 
portion  of  which  is  necessary,  with  the  commercial  Soda  Ash, 
which  contains  only  about  fifty-four  per  cent,  of  pure  alkali,  injures, 
by  giving  undue  causticity,  if  too  freely  employed.  The  "Con- 
centrated Lye"  made  by  the  Pennsylvania  Salt  Manufacturing 
Company,  which  is  represented  in  Philadelphia  by  LEWIS,  JAMES 
&  Co.,  is  warranted  to  make  Soap  without  Lime,  and  with  little 
or  no  trouble. 

In  this  city,  there  are  about  thirty-five  establishments  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  Soap  ;  and  few  branches  of  our  manufac- 
tures have  grown  more  rapidly  with  the  prosperity  of  the  city. 
We  have  been  assured  that  there  is  more  Soap  now  made  here  in 
one  month,  than  there  was  ten  years  ago  in  a  whole  year.  At  that 
time,  we  were  greatly  dependent  upon  New  York,  New  England, 
and  Western  Soap  makers ;  and  Colgate's  Soap  of  New  York 
crowded  every  store  ;  but  now  our  own  manufacturers  supply  our 
market,  to  the  exclusion  of  nearly  all  competitors,  and  have  besides 
large  supplies  for  exportation.  A  few  of  them  manufacture  almost 
entirely  for  exportation  to  the  West  Indies,  South  America,  &c. 
They  make  all  the  varieties  in  common  use,  and  some  make  Soap 
of  superior  quality.  Palm  Oil  is  extensively  employed  for  making 
Soap  and  Stearin  Candles  ;  and  Olive  Soap  of  remarkable  power, 
soluble  in  strong  brine,  and  therefore  well  adapted  for  marine  use, 
is  an  important  article  made  here.* 

*  An  article  of  this  kind,  known  as  Chemical  Olive  Soap,  manufactured 
by  Mr.  WM.  CONWAY,  310  South  Second  street,  is  deserving  of  particular 
notice,  inasmuch  as  it  has  become  a  staple  article  in  nearly  every  grocery 


CANDLES.  386 

Numerous  experiments  have  been  made  toward  producing  Cas- 
tile Soap  in  this  city,  but  apparently  without  success. 

The  manufacture  of  CANDLES  is  so  very  generally  associated 
with  that  of  Soap,  that  the  branches  may  be  considered  insepara- 
ble. The  advances  that  have  recently  been  made  in  chemical  sci- 
ence have  wonderfully  influenced  the  manufacture  of  both  articles  ; 
and  by  the  separation  of  constituent?,  purification,  distillation, 
pressure,  and  other  arts  and  appliances,  known  to  the  initiated,  it 
is  possible  to  attain  very  remarkable  results  from  very  unpromising 
materials.  The  most  impure  fats,  as  well  as  Palm  and  other  oils, 
may  be  made  to  yield,  by  the  skillful  Candle-maker,  a  product  from 
their  solid  portions  but  little  inferior  to  those  made  from  wax, 
which  is  too  expensive  for  ordinary  use.  Dip  Candles  are  nearly 
obsolete  ;  but  the  manufacture  of  Moulded  Tallow  Candles  is  still 
an  important  part  of  the  business  of  nearly  all  the  Soap-makers. 
The  cheapness  and  brilliancy  of  gas  have,  however,  superseded 
their  use  in  most  of  the  principal  cities,  while  the  introduction  of 

store  in  the  city,  on  account  of  its  superior  detersive  qualities,  and  its 
adaptation  alike  to  the  use  of  hard  and  soft  water.  This  Soap  is  the  result 
of  a  series  of  experiments  commenced  about  three  years  ago,  in  conse- 
quence ^f  the  popularity  of  an  Eastern  Soap  of  similar  name,  extensively 
sold  here  at  that  time,  which  it  has  almost  wholly  superseded. 

With  the  self-reliance  which  characterizes  all  successful  enterprises,  and 
a  thorough  practical  acquaintance  with  his  business,  to  which  he  was 
brousrht  up,  assisted  by  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  chemical  principles 
involved,  Mr.  Conway  resolved  that  what  had  been  done  elsewhere  could  be 
done  by  himself.  His  first  attempts  were  followed  by  successive  im- 
provement, until  the  efficient  and  economical  Soap  now  made  by  him  leaves 
little  to  be  desired  in  the  way  of  amendment,  and  after  much  pecuniary 
loss  in  establishing  its  name  and  merits,  he  is  being  rewarded  with  substan- 
tial success.  It  is  claimed  for  it  that  it  is  superior  to  any  common  Soap  for 
washing  in  any  water,  hard  or  soft;  for  the  reason,  among  others,  that  it 
contains  more  alkali,  which  at  the  same  time  is  so  completely  neutralized 
by  the  other  ingredients,  that  the  fabric  is  not  in  the  least  injured  by  it. 
Mr.  Conway  is  also  a  large  manufacturer  of  Cnndles,  and  of  Palm,  Va- 
riegated, White,  Yellow,  Pale  Brown,  and  other  common  Soaps,  as  well  as 
of  Fancy  and  Perfumed  Soaps.  Of  his  improved  Chemical  Olive  Soap,  his 
sales  to  the  city  alone  average  one  hundred  boxes  per  day,  besides  the 
quantities  sent  elsewhere. 

31* 


386  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Camphine,  and  the  various  illuminating  oils,  has  also  tended  to 
limit  the  manufacture  of  Candles.  Wax  Candles  are  made  by 
only  one  person  in  this  city. 

At  least  two  establishments  in  this  city  are  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  Adamantine  Candles  and  Olein  Oils,  with  all  the 
modern  appliances  for  doing  a  large  business.  DAVID  THAIN  & 
Co.,  and  C.  H.  GRANT  &  Co.,  have  a  capital  invested  in  this 
business  of  $400,000,  employ  116  hands,  and  produce  annually, 
of  Candles  and  Oils,  $570,000.  The  entire  capital  employed 
in  the  Soap  and  Candle  manufacture  is  $950,000 ;  and  the 
aggregate  product  is  $2,057,600. 

XXXII, 

Sugar  Refining. 

SIR  :  Your  request  for  accurate  information  with  regard  to  the 
Sugar  Refining  business  in  Philadelphia  has  received  due  attention, 
and  I  take  pleasure  in  transmitting  the  result  of  my  researches  respect- 
ing the  subject. 

There  are  five  large  Steam  Refineries,  besides  two  extensive  estab- 
lishments which  extract  Sugar  from  Molasses.  Those  engaged  in  Re- 
fining Sugar  are — J.  S.  LOVERING  &  Co.,  T.  A.  NEWHALL  &  Co.,  BUTE 
&  SMITH.  EASTWICK  BROTHERS,  and  J.  R.  ROUDET  ;  in  extracting  Su- 
gar from  Molasses,  G.  L.  BROOM  &  Co.,  and  FELTUS  &  ZIMMERLINO. 
The  buildings  used  by  these  firms  are  very  extensive,  and  the  combined 
steam  power  amounts  to  over  500-horse  power.  The  number  of  men 
employed  in  the  different  works  is  about  700,  and  the  amount  of  raw 
Sugar  imported  from  the  West  and  East  Indies,  St.  Domingo,  &e.,  and 
used,  will  reach  1,000  hogsheads  per  week,  from  which  nearly  5,000 
barrels  of  Loaf  and  the  different  grades  of  Clarified  Sugar  are  pro- 
duced, the  greater  portion  of  which  is  for  the  Philadelphia  market. 
Each  barrel  of  Sugar  weighs  about  240  pounds. 

By  the  introduction  of  machinery  and  steam  the  process  of  puri- 
fying and  refining  Sugar  underwent  an  entire  revolution  ;  and  this  im- 
provement, with  the  substitution  of  aluminous  finings  in  place  of  bul- 
lock's blood,  which  supplied  a  fertile  source  of  deterioration,  has  wonder- 
fully increased  the  quantity  of  production  and  raised  the  standard  of 
quality.  The  Raw  Sugar,  from  the  West  Indies,  is  imported  in  cases  and 
hogsheads  ;  from  the  English  Islands  in  hogsheads  ;  from  South  Amer- 
ica chiefly  in  bags,  as  also  from  Manilla  and  the  Mauritius.  These  latter 


SUGAR    REFINING.  387 

bags  are  double,  and  made  from  the  leaves  of  reeds,  plaited  or  woven 
into  suitable  material. 

The  first  operation  of  the  Refiner,  after  removing  the  Sugar  from 
the  hogshead,  boxes,  &c.,  is  dissolving  the  Sugar  in  a  pan  by  means 
of  steam  passing  through  a  perforated  pipe  in  the  bottom  of  the  pau. 
The  color  is  then  extracted  from  the  solution  by  means  of  chemical 
and  mechanical  means,  when  it  is  passed  to  what  is  known  as  the  va- 
cuum pans,  heated  by  steam,  for  the  purpose  of  being  boiled.  By  this 
means  the  liquor  is  so  concentrated  that  the  Sugar  is  only  held  in  solu- 
tion by  the  high  temperature,  so  that  on  cooling  a  rapid  crystallization 
takes  place,  which  produces  that  uniform  fine  grain,  such  as  is  required 
in  Loaf  Sugar.  The  syrup,  after  boiling  sufficiently,  is  poured  into  the 
moulds,  which  are  of  the  funnel  or  sugar-loaf  form,  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  the  separation  of  the  mother-liquor.  The  syrup  or  liquor 
which  runs  from  the  mould  is  again  boiled,  from  which  the  lower  grades 
of  Sugar  is  produced.  The  syrup  coming  from  this  second  process  is 
sold  for  molasses.  The  production  of  molasses  is  about  one  fifth  from 
each  hogshead. 

The  value  of  Refined  Sugar  manufactured  in  this  city  in  one  year( 
taking  for  the  basis  of  calculation  the  data  given  above,  with  the 
prices  which  ruled  in  1857,  and  a  working  period  of  ten  months,  would 
be  from  $5,500,000  to  $6,000,000  ;  an(]  the  business  of  the  year,  in- 
cluding Molasses,  amounted  to  $6,500,000.  It  will  be  remembered, 
however,  that  the  high  price  of  Sugar  during  the  early  part  of  last 
year  diminished  the  demand  ;  and  at  present  prices,  which  are  much 
lower  than  in  1857,  the  Refineries  here  are  of  sufficient  capacity  to 
produce  $10,000,000  annually,  if  constantly  in  operation. 

The  art  of  Refining,  it  is  believed,  has  attained  a  higher  standard 
in  this  country  than  in  any  part  of  Europe,  and  the  excellence  of  this 
manufacture  is  not  approached  by  any  imported  article.  Within  a 
recent  period,  our  own  city  has  advanced  greatly  in  both  the  quantity  and 
quality  produced.  A  few  years  since  but  a  single  Refiner  had  a  name 
here,  and  a  well-deserved  one  ;*  now  several  others  are  approaching 

*  The  firm  alluded  to,  it  is  perhaps  needless  to  remark,  is  J.  S.  LOVERINO 
&  Co. — a  name  well-known  in  the  principal  markets  of  the  world,  and  we 
mny  say  in  the  scientific  world.  Their  Refinery  is  one  of  the  very  largest 
in  this  country;  but  we  have  made  this  reference  more  particularly  to  de- 
scribe their  Barrel-making  establishment  at  Bridesburg.  The  grounds  en- 
closed for  the  Works,  a  memorandum  before  us  states,  contain  about  nine 
acres.  The  Maple  Logs  are  kept  in  large  quantities  in  a  pen  leading  from 
the  Frankford  Creek,  and  which  is  immediately  back  of  the  Saw  mill  where 
the  timber  is  cut  into  planks  the  thickness  of  the  width  of  the  stave.  The 


388  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

the  high  standard  with  rapid  strides.  The  PENNSYLVANIA  REFINERY, 
corner  Race  and  Crown  streets,  with  very  slight  additions  to  its  appa- 
ratus, has  nearly  trebled  its  capacity  of  production,  and  has  for  several 
years  fully  reached  the  highest  standard,  as  regards  quality,  attained 
either  in  New  York  or  Philadelphia.  M. 

XXXIII. 

Tobacco  Manufactures— Cigars,  Snuff,  etc. 

SIR  :  The  manufactures  of  Tobacco  in  Philadelphia  are  limited  to 
Cigars,  Snuff,  and  Smoking  Tobacco.  Chewing  Tobacco  is  made  in 
the  neighborhood  of  the  plantation  ;  and  the  reason  that  so  much  of  in- 
ferior quality  is  made,  is  that  the  demand  exceeds  the  supply.  All  the 
first  quality  grown  is  required  for  wrapping  the  frost-bitten,  unripe, 
and  otherwise  injured  leaves,  which  are  deposited  in  the  centre  of  the 
plug. 

The  manufacture  of  Cigars  is  a  great  business  in  Philadelphia.  I  am 
practically  acquainted  with  the  trade,  and  since  your  queries  were  re- 
ceived have  made  it  a  subject  of  careful  investigation.  My  opinion  is 
there  are  about  1,000  Cigar  manufacturers  in  Philadelphia;  thirty  of 
whom  employ  from  ten  to  sixty-five  hands  ;  the  others  from  one  to  five 

pieces  are  then  taken  to  another  room  and  placed  in  steam-tight  boxes,  into 
which  the  engines  exh*aust  their  steam,  aud  thus  in  a  short  space'  of  time 
the  timber  is  sufficiently  steamed  to  be  cut  into  staves.  The  blocks  are 
then  taken  into  the  stave-cutting  room,  where  one  man  with  a  huge 
knife,  worked  by  steam,  cuts  eighty  staves  the  proper  shape  every 
minute.  This  knife  has  a  curved  blade,  which  gives  the  staves  the  proper 
curve.  This  knife  is  over  five  feet  in  length,  and  acts  perpendicularly ; 
and  the  feeder  stands  at  a  table  and  presents  the  piece  of  timber  to  the 
knife,  a  gauge  stopping  the  slack,  so  that  the  knife  cuts  the  stave  the  proper 
thickness.  The  staves  are  then  put  in  iron  cars  and  run  into  drying  kilns, 
two  hundred  feet  long,  and  heated  by  hot  air.  They  are,  after  being  dried, 
placed  upon  a  revolving  table,  which  joints  them  so  that  they  fit  together  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  give  the  proper  bilge.  After  passing  through  another 
machine,  which  cuts  the  chime  nnd  prepares  it  for  the  head,  the  staves  are 
passed  to  the  setters-up.  About  thirty-five  men  and  boys  are  employed,  nnd 
with  this  force  from  three  hundred  to  five  hundred  Barrels  are  made  daily. 
The  maple  logs  are  brought  from  the  head- waters  of  the  Delaware;  1,500,000 
feet,  costing  from  $8  to  $10  per  thousand,  are  used  annually.  The  hoops 
are  of  ash,  and  brought  from  the  shores  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  ma- 
chinery is  moved  by  three  steam  engines;  one  of  sixty-horse  power,  and  'wo 
of  thirty-horse  power  each. 


CIGARS,    SNUFF,    ETC.  389 

or  six.  The  whole  number  of  employees,  journeymen  and  girls,  engaged 
in  making  Cigars,  is  fully  4,000.  If  each  hand  makes  1,500  Cigars 
per  week,  a  minimum  amount,  the  weekly  production  is  6,000,000,  or 
312,000,000  Cigars  per  year.  A  fast  hand  will  make  five  hundred  Cigars 
per  day.  The  average  labor  expended  upon  each  thousand  Cigars  costs 
about  $3  50  :  the  weekly  production  of  6,000,000  would  cost  $21,000  ; 
and  the  yearly  cost  for  labor  on  312,000,000,  would  be  $1,092,000. 

The  average  cost  of  each  thousand  Cigars  is  $8  00  ;  that  of  312,000,000 
is  $2,496,000.  A  profit  of  twenty  per  cent,  makes  the  annual  production 
about  $3,000,000.  The  largest  factory  employs  sixty-five  hands,  and 
manufactures  4,000,000  Cigars,  of  which  the  average  cost  is  $16  per 
thousand.  This  firm  has  invested  in  the  Cigar  business  alone  $80,000. 

About  one-third  of  the  leaf  tobacco,  for  making  Cigars,  is  obtained 
from  Cuba  ;  the  rest  is  of  American  growth.  The  Cuban  is  of  course 
used  for  the  superior  qualities.  The  best  Cigars  are  known  by  their  pure 
color,  and  the  white  solidity  of  the  ashes.  The  best  Cigars  made  in 
Philadelphia  need  only  the  foreign  brands,  and  Custom-house  marks,  to 
sell  as  real  Havanas.  They  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  West 
and  South,  and  the  best  qualities  are  sold  largely  in  New  York  as  im- 
ported. 

The  Cigar  branch  alone  employs  a  capital  of  $1,800,000. 

Machines  have  not  as  yet  been  found  to  work  well.  A  Liverpool 
house  is  said  to  have  a  patented  machine  in  operation,  which  will  make 
5,000  Cigars  per  day ;  and  in  Prussia  machines  are  extensively  used, 
which  is  one  reason  why  German  Cigars  are  so  cheap,  and  so  badly  made 
that  few  will  smoke. 

In  the  manufacture  of  Snuffs  there  are  four  mills,  that  employ  fifty 
hands,  and  have  a  capital  invested  of  $80,000.  Garrett's  Mill  has  been 
established  probably  a  century.  Smoking  Tobacco  is  cut  in  the  Snuff 
mills,  and  also  by  mills  devoted  exclusively  to  the  purpose.  The  prod- 
uct will  average  5,000  pounds  per  day,  worth  ten  cents  per  pound,  which 
amounts  to  $156,500. 

The  Cigar,  Snuff,  and  Leaf  Tobacco  trade  undoubtedly  employs  a 
capital  of  $3,000,000,  turned  twice  a  year,  which  produces  a  business 
of  $6,000,000  per  year. 

XXXIV. 
The  TJmbrella  and  Parasol  Manufacture. 

Archaeologists  have  demonstrated  that  those  portable  protec- 
tions from  the  sun  and  rain,  called  Umbrellas  and  Parasols,  prob- 
ably commenced  with  the  latter  of  these  inventions,  and  in  a  region 


390  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURE?. 

where  the  intensity  of  the  light  and  heat  rendered  a  shade  almost 
indispensable.  In  the  contrivance  of  such  a  shelter,  the  pole  and 
top  of  a  tent  seem  to  have  originally  suggested  the  well-known 
form,  which,  in  its  general  features  of  a  dome  or  canopy,  still  re- 
mains unaltered.  The  materials  used  in  the  early  Parasols  were 
exceedingly  heavy,  and  one  or  more  attendants  were  required  to 
carry  them  over  their  possessors ;  hence,  the  ownership  of  a  Parasol 
was  at  one  time  indicative  of  high  rank.  But  we  are  compelled  to 
pass  by  much  curious  information,  with  respect  to  the  early  history 
of  these  articles,  and  their  gradual  introduction  into  common  use, 
and  proceed  to  consider  the  present  state  of  the  manufacture,  par- 
ticularly in  Philadelphia. 

The  Umbrella  and  Parasol  manufactories  in  Philadelphia,  it  is 
supposed,  are  more  extensive  than  any  others  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States  ;  and  their  products  have  proverbially  a  better  repu- 
tation for  quality  than  any  others.  It  is  probable  there  are  more 
than  a  hundred  places  in  Philadelphia  where  Umbrellas  and  Pura- 
eols  are  made  to  some  extent,  but  the  very  extensive  establishments 
are  limited  to  four  or  five.  The  causes  that  have  contributed  to 
the  supremacy  of  Philadelphia  in  this  manufacture,  are  principally 
those  which  have  led  to  a  like  result  in  other  branches ;  but  there 
are  also  special  and  particular  reasons  for  the  superiority.  The 
sticks  and  metal  mountings  made  in  Frankford,  a  populous 
suburb  of  the  city,  are  unsurpassed  for  excellence  and  efficiency. 
The  stretchers,  made  from  the  best  Pennsylvania  iron — the  wire, 
drawn  at  Easton,  and  formed,  forked,  and  japanned  at  the  House 
of  Refuge,  under  the  superintendence  of"  a  firm  in  this  city — are 
tougher,  and  less  disposed  to  rust  or  oxidize,  than  any  in  the  world. 
The  mechanical  genius  of  the  manufacturers  has  also  been  active, 
and  a  number  of  very  important  improvements,  which  facilitate  the 
manufacture,  have  originated  here.  Of  this  description  we  might 
instance  the  "  Sorting  Machine,"  invented  by  the  elder  Mr. 
Sleeper,  for  adjusting  the  strength  of  the  ribs,  or  setts,  worked  by 
balance-weights,  and  by  determining  the  strength  of  each  rib, 
ensures  the  perfect  and  regular  shape  of  their  goods. 

The  firms  most  extensively  engaged  in  this  manufacture  are 
WRIGHT,  BROTHERS  &  Co.,  SLEEPER  &FENNER,  WM.  A.  DROWN 
&  Co.,  SIMON  HEITER,  and  WM.  H.  RICHARDSON.  The' first  two 


UMBRELLAS   AND   PARASOLS.  391 

are  probably  the  largest,  and  certainly  among  the  largest  Um- 
brella manufacturing  concerns  in  the  Union. 

The  quantity  of  material  annually  consumed  in  the  manufactory 
of  WRIGHT,  BROTHERS,  &  Co.,  is  enormous.  The  Pennsylvania 
Inquirer,  referring  to  them,  stated — 

"  This  house  produces  an  average  of  2,200  Umbrellas  and  Parasols 
a  day,  or  about  700,000  per  annum :  and  consumes  one  million  yards, 
equal  to  570  miles,  of  Silks,  Cottons,  and  Ginghams  ;  upward  of  200,000 
pounds  of  Rattan,  and  about  seventy-five  tons  of  Horn,  Bone,  Ivory, 
and  other  materials,  for  ornamental  mountings.  Of  Whalebone,  the 
house  alluded  to  above  consumes  over  100,000  pounds,  equal  to  about 
one-thirtieth  of  the  average  products  of  the  whale  fisheries  of  the 
world. 

Such  are  the  extent  and  variety  of  the  mechanism  used,  and  the  per- 
fection and  nicety  with  which  it  is  adapted  to  the  purpose,  that,  with  the 
help  of  ample  steam-power,  all  this  vast  quantity  of  material  changes 
its  form,  and  700,000  Umbrellas  are  manufactured  in  the  establishment 
of  the  Messrs.  Wright,  with  the  help  of  only  450  hands  constantly  em- 
ployed under  one  roof.  All  parts  of  the  Umbrella  are  now  arranged  with 
mathematical  accuracy  by  the  machinery  used,  some  of  which  was  in- 
vented by  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  establishment,  from  whom  the 
above  information  was  obtained,  and  can  be  used  by  no  other  manufac- 
tory. The  system  to  which  all  parts  of  this  manufacture  is  reduced  is 
now  so  perfect  as  to  place  the  cost  of  production  very  low,  and  far  below 
competition  from  hand  labor  and  ordinary  machinery — in  addition  to 
forming  the  article  with  a  beauty  and  accuracy  only  to  be  obtained  from 
the  best  mechanical  means." 

Messrs.  SLEEPER  &  FENNER  are  a  prominent  firm,  who  have 
been  identified  with  this  manufacture  for  about  thirty  years,  and 
now  rank  among  the  most  extensive  makers  of  Umbrellas  in  this 
country.  Their  Umbrellas  and  Parasols  are  sold  largely,  not 
only  in  the  South  and  West,  but  to  a  great  extent  in  New  York 
and  in  Boston. 

WM.  A.  DROWN  &  Co.  are  the  successors  of  Erasmus  J.  Pierce, 
one  of  the  pioneers  in  this  manufacture.  Previous  to  the  last  war, 
he  was  engaged  in  the  business,  in  Baltimore  ;  but  his  residence 
in  this  city  dates,  we  believe,  from  1815.  At  that  time,  forty 
Umbrellas  per  day  was  a  large  product — fully  as  much  as  the  de- 
mand would  warrant.  Mr.  Pierce  retired  from  active  participa- 


392  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

tion  iii  the  business  about  1836,  and  at  the  time  of  his  retirement 
was  accounted  among  the  very  largest  manufacturers.  His  suc- 
cessors, Messrs.  Wm.  A.  Drown  &  Co.,  are  noted  for  the  fine  styles 
of  Umbrellas  and  Parasols  which  they  produce ;  and  their  goods 
are  well-known  throughout  the  entire  country. 

The  house  of  SIMON  HEITER,  though  less  extensively  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  than  some  of  the  others  to  whom  we  have  re- 
ferred, is  well  known  to  the  trade,  and  takes  a  very  respectable 
rank.  All  the  styles  usually  made  in  this  country  are  produced 
in  his  manufactory;  and  by  means  of  connection  with  houses  in 
Europe,  he  is  in  early  and  constant  receipt  of  whatever  novel- 
ties are  originated  in  the  workshops  of  Paris  or  elsewhere. 

WM.  H.  RICHARDSON  has  been  connected  with  the  trade  for 
many  years,  and  during  the  period  of  this  connection  he  has 
introduced  several  novelties  that  can  be  highly  commended. 
One  is  the  Walking-cane  Umbrella,  a  very  ingenious  and  neat 
affair,  well  adapted  to  the  use  of  pedestrians  and  travelers.  It 
consists  of  a  convenient  size  of  Umbrella,  in  a  very  handsome 
rosewood  case,  which,  when  the  Umbrella  is  hoisted,  forms  the 
handle,  and,  when  closed,  becomes  a  handsome  cane.  Another 
arrangement  for  the  comfort  of  travelers  is  an  Umbrella,  the  handle 
of  which  may  be  readily  converted  into  a  rest  for  the  head ;  it  is 
intended  to  be  used  in  cars  as  a  head-support,  and  thus  facili- 
tates sleeping  while  traveling.  Another  novelty  to  which  we  beg 
leave  to  invite  attention  is  an  Umbrella  that  can  readily  be 
packed  in  a  trunk,  and  also  the  Holland  Rectangular  Steel  Tube 
Umbrella,  which,  with  the  frame  covered  with  strong  silk,  is  said 
to  weigh  only  nine  ounces. 

The  Umbrella  and  Parasol  manufacture  in  Philadelphia  em- 
ploys directly  about  1,500  persons,  and  indirectly,  and  in  all  its 
branches,  2,500.  A  large  proportion  of  the  employees  are  females, 
whose  earnings  average  from  $2  to  $5  per  week.  A  cap- 
ital of  about  $700,000  is  invested,  and  the  average  annual  pro 
clnct  is  about  $1,275,000,  though  in  1853  it  was  nearly  two  mil- 
lions of  dollars ;  the  sales  of  one  firm  alone  exceeding  a  half 
million  of  dollars.  The  value  produced  in  Philadelphia  is  nearly 
equal  to  that  of  Paris  in  1847,  when  the  product  was  stated  at 
£296,000. 


IVOKY   TURNING — WHALEBONE   AND    RATTAN.  393 

The  circumstances  that  have  contributed  to  the  development 
of  the  Umbrella  manufacture  in  Philadelphia,  we  have  in  part  al- 
ready alluded  to.  The  establishments  in  Fraukford  for  the  marx- 
nfacture  of  Metal  Mountings,  Tips,  &c.,  are  deservedly  noted, 
and  supply  not  only  the  manufacturers  of  this  city  but  of  New 
York.  The  Ivory  and  Bone  Turners,  and  Carvers,  perform  their 
part  well  in  ornamenting  the  handles.  In  the  establishment  of 
HARVEY  &  FORD,  undoubtedly  the  most  extensive  in  the  United 
States,  150  operatives  are  employed,  and  their  carved  Ivory-work 
successfully  rivals  the  finest  of  England  or  France.  The  quanti- 
ties of  material  annually  consumed  in  this  branch  may  be  inferred 
from  the  following  statistics,  recently  given  in  the  Ledger,  for  two 
of  these  shops,  viz. : 

"  Ivory,  30,000  Ibs.,  worth  about  $80,000 ;  Walrus,  a  large  quantity 
of  which  is  also  used  for  like  purposes  with  Ivory,  6,000  Ibs.,  worth 
$3,000 ;  Boxwood,  9  tons,  worth  $270 ;  Vegetable  Ivory,  30  tons, 
worth  $3,000.  One  hundred  and  forty  men  and  boys  are  employed, 
who  receive  for  their  labor  $29,700  per  annum.  In  the  two  shops,  one 
hundred  and  five  Turning  Lathes  and  eleven  Saws  are  at  work.  Eight 
thousand  bushels  of  dust  are  sold  every  year  for  $5,200.  The  dust  is 
used  by  farmers  as  an  excellent  manure." 

A  considerable  proportion  of  the  finished  work  in  Ivory  and 
Bone,  it  is  proper  to  explain,  is  used  for  the  handles  and  mount- 
ings of  Whips  and  Canes,  and  various  kinds  of  Surgical  Instru- 
ments. 

There  is  also  an  extensive  establishment  in  the  city  for  the 
manufacture  of  WHALEBONE  and  RATTAN,  and  is  said  to  be  the 
only  factory  in  the  country  where  Whalebone  is  prepared  for  all 
purposes  to  which  it  is  adapted,  viz. :  Umbrellas,  Parasols,  Whips, 
Canes,  Dresses,  Hoops,  Bonnets,  Hats,  Hair  Pins,  &c.  This  manu- 
factory, of  which  the  proprietors  are  George  W.  Carr  and  Samuel 
Warrington,  trading  under  the  firm-style  of  GEORGE  W.  CARR  & 
Co.,  was  established  in  1842.  The  machinery  and  fixtures  are 
principally  original,  and  said  to  be  unknown  to  other  manufac- 
turers. Steam,  supplied  by  a  twelve-horse  engine,  is  used  in  all 
the  various  processes  of  Boiling,  Dyeing,  Drying,  and  Heating. 

Previous  to  the  great  advance  in  Whalebone,  this  manufactory 
consumed  annually  from  150,000  to  200,000  Ibs.  ;  but  at  present, 
32 


394  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

the  consumption  is  much  reduced  by  the  introduction  of  substi- 
tutes of  much  lower  cost.  Rattan  is  now  a  leading  article  in  the 
manufacture  of  Umbrellas,  Parasols,  Chair  Seating,  Skirt  Hoops, 
&c.,  and  this  firm  consume  annually  about  200,000  Ibs.  The 
manufacture  of  Skirt  Hoops  is  largely  carried  on  by  them,  and 
for  covering  the  Skirts  they  use  the  Whip  Braiding  machines  be- 
fore referred  to.  Messrs.  G.  W.  Carr  &  Co.  employ  fifty  to  sixty 
hands — men,  boys,  and  girls. 

XXXV. 

Wagons,  Carts,  Drays,  and  Wheelbarrows. 

Within  comparatively  a  few  years  the  demand  for  Wagons  of  a 
peculiar  construction  has  elevated  the  business  of  Wagon-making 
into  the  rank  of  manufactures.  The  wheelwright  and  the  black- 
smith are  no  longer  able  to  supply  the  combined  wants  of  the 
United  States  Government,  Express  Companies,  and  Emigrants  : 
and  establishments  are  required  that  can  purchase  lumber  and  iron 
in  large  quantities,  and  which  are  provided  with  all  th«  requisite 
machinery  and  appliances  for  turning  out  heavy  vehicles  with  expe- 
dition and  rapidity.  The  excellence  of  the  timber  furnished  from 
the  forests  of  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and  Delaware  ;  the  repu- 
tation of  the  builders,  established  even  prior  to  the  time  when 
Conestoga  Wagons  transported  all  heavy  goods  from  the  Eastern 
States  to  the  West ;  the  present  facilities  of  the  Wagon-making 
establishments,  and  the  immense  stock  of  well-seasoned  lumber  al- 
ways kept  on  hand,  make  Philadelphia,  at  the  present  time,  the 
best  and  principal  seat  of  the  Wagon  manufacture. 

There  are  now  forty-five  establishments  in  Philadelphia  where 
Wagons,  Carts,  Drays,  &c.,  are  made,  but,  we  believe,  only  three 
that  carry  on  the  business  on  a  large  scale,  and  supply  the  South, 
the  United  States  Government,  and  distant  markets  generally ; 
viz.  : — WILSON,  CHILDS  &  Co.,  SIMONS,  COLEMAN  &  Co.,  BEGGS 
&  ROWLAND.  Two  other  houses,  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN,  and  W. 
HOSKINS,  have  executed  orders  of  some  importance  for  remote 
sections. 

These  establishments  send  their  products  to  almost  every  part 
of  the  South,  including  Texas;  and  even  Mexico  obtains  a  second 
edition  of  our  old  Conestogas,  which  are  there  drawn  by  mules 
Thu  United  States  Government  has  for  some  time  obtained  it^ 


WOOD-WOXKIXG.  395 

Wagons  from  Philadelphia,  inasmuch  as  those  built  here  are  found 
to  be  the  most  serviceable  on  the  Western  frontiers,  where  only  those 
of  the  best  material  and  construction  can  withstand  the  abrasion 
of  travel.  A  considerable  proportion  of  those  required  for  the 
transportation  of  the  Utah  expedition  are  being  made  here,  and  the 
factories  at  the  present  time  swarm  with  industrious  artisans.  We 
shall  describe  two  of  the  principal  establishments  in  the  APPENDIX. 
The  statistics  of  the  product  are  given  as  follows  : — 

Value  of  Wagons  annually  sent  South,  and  for  the  U.  S.  Government,     $525,00* 
"       "    Wagons,  Carts,  Drays,  Ac.,  made  for  the  city  and  vicinity,  290,000 

Total  product, -    ~"i^v       $815,000 

XXXVI. 

Wood-Working— Bnilding  Materials,  &c. 

The  working  of  Wood  in  Philadelphia,  and  throughout  the 
United  States,  is  especially  remarkable  for  the  application  of  labor- 
saving  machinery,  by  which  the  most  important  results  are  attained 
from  apparently  very  simple  means.  All  the  implements  and  ma- 
chines designed  for  the  purpose,  and  in  use  in  this  country,  from 
an  ordinary  axe  to  a  planing  machine,  are  far  in  advance  of  those 
in  use  in  Europe.  A  house  in  Liverpool  is  now  importing  the  best 
American  Wood-working  machines,  and  making  great  efforts  to 
introduce  them  generally  into  England. 

The  abundant  supply  of  Lumber  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
sources  of  that  supply,  were  stated  in  the  Introductory.  It  is 
probably  our  duty  to  describe  the  facilities  that  are  in  use  in  the 
various  and  numerous  Wood-working  establishments ;  but  we  are 
reminded  that  the  leading  branches  of  productive  industry  have 
already  consumed  more  than  their  allotted  space  ;  and  we  are  satis- 
fied that  nothing  like  justice  could  be  done,  within  narrow  limits, 
to  a  subject  so  comprehensive.  We  may  probably  describe  one  or 
two  of  the  leading  establishments  in  the  APPENDIX  ;  but  here  it 
must  suffice  for  us  to  say  that  the  machinery  in  the  various  Planing 
Mills,  Sash  Factories,  Turning  and  Scroll-sawing  Establishments, 
<fec.,  is  truly  remarkable  for  its  efficiency  ;  and  that  those  estab- 
lishments occupied  in  preparing  the  various  parts  of  Wood-work 
required  in  Buildings,  can  supply  builders  at  a  much  cheaper  rate 
than  the  latter  can  produce  them  in  their  own  workshops,  without 
the  aid  of  such  machinery. 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


The  statistics  of  the  aggregate  product,  prepared  with  a  good 
deal  of  labor,  will  convey  some  idea  of  the  extent  to  which  the  bu- 
siness of  Wood-working,  in  its  several  branches,  is  carried  on  : — 

Value  of  Lumber  Sawed,  including  Mahogany  and  Fancy  Woods, 
"       "    Flooring  and  Planed  Lumber,         -        -        -        -     '    . 

"       "    Sashes,  Blinds,  Doors  made  in  factories, 

"       "    Mouldings,  Turnings,  in  Wood,  Ac.,        .... 

"       "    Barrels,  Casks,  Shocks,  Vats,  <fco.,          ^       ,m.ii  ^  5^K-, 
"       "    Boxes,  Packing,  estimated,    ---... 
"       "    Picture  and  Looking-Glass  Frames,  stated  by  a  leading 

manufacturer  at  $1,500,000,  estimated,       -        .     ''i'1 
"       "    Matches — 6  Match  factories,  estimated,          ... 
"       "    Coffins,  ready  made,       ....... 

"       "    Lasts  and  Boot-Trees,  one  maker  using  machines, 

"       "    Cedar  and  Wooden  Ware,       -         -        -        »        -        - 

"       "    Patterns,  Stove  and  other,      ...... 

"       "    Show  Cases,  Ac., 

Miscellaneous  manufactures  in  Wood,  viz. :  Hydrant  Stocks,  Lad- 
ders, Kindling  Wood,  Shingles,  Laths,  Ac.,  estimated       -  *'  :- 


Total, 


$580,000 
370,000 
250,000 
850,000 
715,000 
500,000 

750,000 
125,000 
219,000 

36,000 
150,000 
115,000 

55,000 

100,000 
$4,815,000 


We  now  take  leave  of  the  Branches  of  Productive  Industry  in 
Philadelphia  that  can  be  called  "Leading,"  or  those  of  which 
the  aggregate  product  and  relative  commercial  importance  entitle 
them  to  the  designation.  A  recapitulation  of  the  respective  values 
produced  in  these  branches  alone  would  show  that  Philadelphia  is 
a  very  great  manufacturing  city ;  and  if  we  were  to  step  beyond 
the  city  limits,  and  compute  the  industrial  values  of  the  district 
of  which  this  city  is  the  commercial  centre,  we  would  have  at 
at  least  the  following  additional  aggregates  : — 

Dry  Goods  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  as  before  stated,          -  $6,696,000 
Iron — Anthracite  made  near  Philadelphia,    -----  4,569,720 
"       Charcoal  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,      -        -      -  •„.»; r^-M+fj  1,754,280 
Products  of  Forges  and  Rolling  Mills  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  1856,  5,000,000 
Miscellaneous  manufactures  of  Iron,  estimated,    ....  3,000,000 

Leather,  estimated, ,.<?*  o.^JT'ftffcS  2,500,000 

Paper,  estimated,  2,000,000 
Wood-working,  including  Agricultural  Implements,  Barrels,  Han- 
dles, Tools,  Ac.,  brought  into  Philadelphia,  estimated,      -   f'lv  1,000.000 

Total, $26,520,000 


RECAPITULATION.  397 

.RECAPITULATION. 

Agricultural  Implements,  Seeds,  and  Fertilizers $1,003,00' 

Alcohol,  Burning  Fluid,  Camphene,  Ac .....1,022,140 

Book  Manufacture,  and  its  kindred  branches,  as  already  given $5,593,000 

Profits  of  Publishing  Books  and  Periodicals — amount  $1,090,003,  esti- 
mated rate  20  per  cent 818,000 

Daily  and  Weekly  Newspapers,   estimated  by  a  leading  Newspaper 

Publisher 1,370,000 

-    7,781  ,OOC 

Boots  and  Shoes 4,141,000 

Brass  and  Copper 1,230,000 

Ale,  Porter,  Lager  Beer,  Ac 2,300,000 

Bricks,  Fire-Bricks,  Pottery,  Ac 1,459,000 

Carriages,  including  Wagons,  Carts,  &c 1,715,000 

Chemicals,  Paints,  Glue,  Curled  Hair,  Varnishes,  Medicines,  Ac 7,370,000 

Clothing,  Mantillas,  and  Corsets 11,157,500 

Confectionery,  Fine  Cakes,  Ac 1,020,000 

Distilling  and  Rectifying  Liquors 3,154,000 

Dry  Goods  or  Textile  Fabrics 21,318,118 

Flour  and  Substances  as  Food,  including  Baker's  Bread,  and  Cured  and  Smoked 

Meats 14,150,000 

Furniture,  Upholstery,  Ac 3,000,000 

Glass  Manufactures 1,600,000 

Hats,  Caps,  Furs,  Ac 1,900,000 

Iron,  Manufactures  of 12,852,130 

Jewelry,  and  other  Manufactures  of  Gold,  Silver,  ic 3,272,000 

Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and  Gas  Fixtures, 1,300,000 

Leather,  including  Buckskin  and  Kid  Gloves,  Belting,  Hose,  Ac 3,091,250 

Marble,  Stone,  Slate,  Ae 1,160,000 

Oils 2,131,230 

Paper  Hangings 800,000 

Rope,  Cordage,  Ac 810,000 

Saddles,  Harness,  Whips,  Trunks 1,988,000 

Sugar  Refining  and  Molasses. 6,500,000 

Ship  and  Boat  Building 1,760,000 

Soaps  and  Candles 2,057,600 

Tobacco,  (Smoking),  Cigars,  Snuff. 3,256,500 

Umbrellas  and  Parasol*,  including  Umbrella  Furniture,  Ivory  and  Bone  Turning, 

Whalebone  and  Rattan  manufacturing 1,750,000 

Works  in  Wood — Products  of  Saw  Mills,  Planing  Mills,  Sash  and  Door  Factories, 
Wooden  Ware,  Matches,  Lasts,  Ac 4,300,000 


Total  value  of  Leading  Branches  of  Productive  Industry  in  Philadel'a $132,349,488 

Add  for  Product  of  Lead.ng  Branches  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia 26,520,000 


Total  for  Leading  Branches  in  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity 8158,869,488 

32* 


MISCELLANEOUS    MANUFACTURES. 


i. 

Artificial  Teeth. 

THE  manufacture  of  Porcelain  Teeth  is  modern  in  its  origin.  Orig 
inally  natural  or  human  Teeth  were  used  ;  also  calves'  and  sheep  Teeth ; 
next  ivory,  or  Teeth  carved  from  the  tusk  of  the  Hippopotamus.  Fifty 
years  ago  there  was  not  a  Porcelain  Tooth  made  in  this  country. 
Twenty  years  ago,  not  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  were 
manufactured  annually  in  the  United  States,  and  but  a  trifling  number 
in  Europe.  Since  then  the  demand  has  been  continually  increasing, 
owing  in  a  great  measure  to  the  rapid  improvements  made  from  year 
to  year,  and  the  more  perfect  applicability  to  the  purposes  designed  ; 
and  within  the  last  eight  years,  it  is  said,  the  consumption  has  in- 
creased one  hundred  per  cent. 

Philadelphia  was  the  first  and  original  seat  of  the  manufacture  of 
Porcelain  Teeth  in  the  United  States ;  and  over  one  half,  if  not  two 
thirds  of  all  the  Teeth  now  made  in  this  country  are  made  in  Philadel- 
phia. One  firm,  that  of  JONES,  WHITE  &  McCuEDY,  Arch  street, 
make  annually  about  1,250,000  Porcelain  Teeth.  Their  products  are 
exported  to  Europe,  South  America,  the  West  Indies  ;  and  in  all  the 
markets  they  take  precedence  over  the  European  manufacture. 

In  the  report  of  the  last  Franklin  Institute  Exhibition,  we  notice 
that  the  judges  remark  : 

"  These  gentlemen  claim  the  following  as  improvements  in  their 
Teeth.  A  close  imitation  of  the  natural  organs ;  a  great  variety  of 
shapes  in  conformity  with  nature ;  the  thickening  of  the  posterior 
edges  of  the  canines  and  bicuspids,  in  conformity  with  the  gradual  fill- 
ing out  of  the  natural  organs  from  the  incisors  to  the  molars  ;  a  greater 
capacity  to  withstand  the  extremes  of  temperature  to  which  they  must 
be  exposed  ;  the  peculiar  blending  of  the  tints  in  imitation  of  nature ; 
the  shape  of  the  bases  of  the  gum  teeth  for  half  and  entire  denture.", 
and  their  more  perfect  adaptation  to  the  plates  with  but  little  grinding. 
Also,  a  great  improvement  in  the  enamel  surface,  which  is  divested  of 
that  glassy,  reflecting  character  so  unnatural,  and  which  has  hitherto 

(398) 


AWNINGS,  BAGS,    ETC.  399 

been  so  objectionable  in  Artificial  Teeth.  Most  of  these  improve- 
ments, especially  those  which  relate  to  the  shape,  articulating  and  en- 
amel surfaces,  are  of  a  high  order  of  merit,  and  entitle  them  to  a  recall 
first-class  premium." 

It  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  the  eminent  success  which  has  attended 
this  firm  is  due  to  their  merits  as  manufacturers  of  superior  Artificial 
Teeth  ;  but  also  in  part  to  their  standing  as  gentlemen,  their  enter- 
prise, and  to  their  public  spirit. 

The  statistics  of  the  manufacture  of  Porcelain  Teeth,  as  furnished 
to  us,  are  as  follows  : 

Number  of  establishments,    -        -       ,-  ^  .__•    ,-     _  .      ,.•_  5 

Capital  invested,   -        ..-        .  .        -        -        -  $175,000 

Persons  employed — one  half  females,    -  -'      ".'''.'"    •  125 

Value  of  production  annually,       -        -  '  CJ    "*'-•"•'-    S^'L  $500,000 


II. 

Awnings,  Bags,  &c. 

There  are  about  eight  principal  establishments  in  this  city  for  mak- 
ing Awnings,  Bags,  Sacking  Bottoms,  &c.,  and  in  addition,  they  man- 
ufacture Garden  and  Field  Tents,  Yerandahs  for  windows,  Wagon 
Covers,  Flags  and  Banners,  &c.  Military  Tents  were,  during  the 
Mexican  war,  and  until  a  recent  period,  made  here  to  a  very  large 
amount  for  the  United  States  Army,  but  are  now  all  made  at  the 
United  States  Arsenal  in  this  city.  Wagon  Covers  and  Sacking  Bot- 
toms form  considerable  items  in  the  business  here ;  and  of  the  former, 
two  extensive  Wagon  Building  establishments  in  this  city  necessarily 
require  many  for  their  Mexican  and  Southern  customers. 

Bags,  for  grain  and  flour,  are  only  made  to  a  limited  extent  in  con- 
nection with  the  other  branches,  the  recent  introduction  and  greater 
cheapness  of  Seamless  Bags  having  greatly  abridged  the  demand.  The 
covering  of  Hams,  previous  to  being  whitewashed  for  their  better 
preservation  during  the  hot  season,  also  belongs  to  the  business,  and 
occasionally  employs  a  number  of  hands.  Mr.  JOSEPH  H.  FOSTER,  a 
principal  manufacturer  in  all  these  branches,  and  also  a  practical  Sail« 
maker,  has  furnished  the  following  statistics,  viz. : 

Hands  employed,          ...___-        125 

Yards  of  Canvas  used  annually,  325,000,  worth,  -        -       $58,250 

Other  material?,  as  Rope,  Twine,  Rags,  Hooks,  Needles,  Ac.  3,500 

Workmanship,      -    '''-'*     - 30,000 



Total,       -!  *:->*  f'i>Ji  ;i''v>rti;u.i  WKUO  4J*aurr  .!«*{.    $91,750 


400  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

III. 

Baskets  and  Willow  Ware. 

This  is  a  branch  of  business  which  may  be  regarded  as  yet  only  in 
its  infancy  in  this  country,  but  destined  to  become  one  of  considerable 
magnitude  at  no  distant  day.  Considering  the  numerous  uses  of  the 
Willow,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  Philadelphia  is  actively  leading  in  an 
enterprise  which  must  aid  in  eventually  rendering  us  independent  of 
Europe,  both  for  the  raw  material  and  the  manufactured  product. 
Enormous  quantities  of  Willow  are  annually  imported,  chiefly  from 
Havre,  and  then  manufactured  into  Baskets  by  our  German  population 
and  others ;  while  of  the  finer  and  fancy  Willow  Ware,  nearly  the  whole 
has  hitherto  been  imported.  For  some  years  past,  however,  increased 
attention  has  been  given  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Willow  by  our 
Basket-makers  in  this  city,  on  account  of  the  superior  quality  of  the 
native  growth ;  the  foreign  article  being  always  culled  of  the  better 
portions  previous  to  shipment.  Our  soil  and  climate  are  found  to  suit 
the  plant  admirably ;  and  there  are  now  within  the  city  limits  not  less 
than  eighty-five  acres  of  swamp  or  meadow  lands  under  cultivation.  The 
number  of  persons  engaged  in  growing  Willow,  exclusively  for  their  own 
use,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  is  about  ten,  whose  gardens  embrace 
from  two  to  twenty  acres  each ;  and  others  are  engaging  in  it  every  year. 
Mr.  John  Stinger,  the  largest  Willow-grower  and  Basket-maker  at  pres- 
ent, has  twenty  acres,  or  nearly ;  and  if  persons  of  capital,  which  our  pio- 
neers have  not  been,  were  to  embark  in  this  branch  of  husbandry,  a 
ready  sale  could  be  had  for  all  that  can  be  raised  for  years  to  come,  at 
a  remunerative  price.  The  Willow  is  planted  in  rows  four  feet  apart 
each  way,  or  four  feet  by  two,  according  to  the  kind.  During  the 
first  year  the  young  plants  require  care  similar  to  that  bestowed  upon 
corn  ;  but  in  subsequent  years  little  attention  beyond  keeping  rank 
grass  from  the  roots.  In  two  years  it  reaches  a  size  sufficient  for  use  ; 
and  may  be  cut  the  first  year,  but  with  diminished  profit  subsequently. 
It  continues  to  yield  for  fifteen  years,  at  an  average  value  of  $30  per 
acre,  when  it  must  be  grubbed  up  and  replanted. 

Messrs.  ROBERT  &  CHARLES  DUNK,  who  are  among  the  largest  of  the 
Willow-growers  and  Basket-makers,  and  whose  family  have  been  thirty 
years  in  the  business,  have  experimented  upon  some  sixty  varieties  of 
the  Willow,  to  ascertain  which  are  best  adapted  to  our  climate,  soil, 
and  manufacture.  Few  or  none  of  those  most  cultivated  in  Europe 
succeed  here.  Those  best  suited  to  our  wants,  we  are  informed,  are  the 
Salix  Lambertiana,  S.  Cordata,  (native),  »S'.  Pentangea,  and  S.  Rns.sef- 
liana.  The  last  named  is  most  cultivated  ;  and  as  it  produces  all  the 


BROOMS,    BLACKING,    INK,    AND    LAMPBLACK.  401 

sizes  required  for  different  kinds  of  work,  it  would  supersede  all  others 
were  it  not  liable  to  grow  twiggy.  The  S.  Cordata  is  best  for  larger  and 
coarser  Basket-work  ;  and  other  varieties  are  respectively  used  for  spe- 
cial purposes.  Of  Basket-makers,  there  are  about  twelve  principal  ones, 
besides  a  very  large  number  of  manufacturers  on  a  small  scale.  In 
quantity,  the  product  in  this  city  is  supposed  to  exceed  that  of  any 
place  in  this  country,  and  the  quality  of  the  work  is  undoubtedly  supe- 
rior, arising  chiefly  from  the  greater  whiteness,  strength,  and  beauty 
of  the  native  Willow. 

Mr.  Dunk,  and  some  others,  we  believe,  export  nearly  all  they  make. 
Much  of  the  imported  Willow  is  used  in  the  covering  of  Carboys  and 
other  Glassware,  by  some  of  our  large  Glass  factories. 

Chairs,  Settees,  Cradles,  Coaches,  Work-Tables,  Baskets,  &c.,  are 
also  made  of  Bamboo  and  Cane,  by  several  persons. 

IV. 

Brooms. 

Of  Corn  Brooms  the  product  in  Philadelphia  is  large,  and  the  qual- 
ity generally  superior  to  the  average.  The  Wire-fastened  Broom  made 
here,  in  particular,  is  nowhere  equaled  by  any  article  of  the  same 
price.  The  principal  supply  of  Broom  Corn  used  here  conies  from  Ohio 
and  Indiana,  and  it  is  manufactured  by  between  one  and  two  hundred 
persons,  each  of  whom  will  make  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  Brooms 
daily.  Some  of  our  larger  manufacturers  employ  quite  a  number  of 
hands ;  and  we  believe  few,  if  any,  establishments  in  this  country  turn 
out  more  Brooms  and  Whisk  Brushes  than  Messrs.  BERGEK  &  Buxz, 
of  this  city.  Ten  or  twelve  thousand  Brooms,  probably,  find  their  way 
into  the  market  weekly  from  the  hands  of  Philadelphia  Broom-makers, 
the  wholesale  prices  of  which  range  from  01  to  $3  per  dozen.  To  this, 
as  to  most  similar  branches,  belongs  an  assortment  of  tools  appro- 
priate to  the  business,  for  the  supply  of  which  we  are  as  yet  dependent 
upon  New  England.  Our  ingenious  mechanics  ought  to  supply  not 
only  the  home,  but  the  distant  demand  for  these  articles.  The  same 
may  be  remarked  of  Broom  Handles,  which  come  from  other  quarters 
in  very  large  quantities. 

V. 

Blacking,  Ink,  and  Lampblack. 

Blacking,  it  has  been  remarked,  consists  essentially  of  two  principal 
constituents,  viz.,  a  black  coloring  matter,  and  certain  substances 
which  will  acquire  a  gloss  by  friction.  Each  maker  has  of  course  pro 


402  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

portions  and  methods  of  mixing  peculiar  to  himself,  but  the  chief  ma- 
terials used  are  the  same  in  most  cases.  The  extent  to  which  the  manu- 
facture is  carried  on  by  some  firms,  is  illustrated  by  the  business  of  the 
celebrated  Day  &  Martin,  who  send  away  on  an  average  150  casks, 
containing  a  quantity  equal  to  900  dozen  pint  bottles,  per  day.  The  con- 
stituents of  Day  &  Martin's  Blacking  are  said  to  be  Bone-black,  Sugar, 
Molasses,  Sperm  Oil,  Sulphuric  acid,  and  strong  Vinegar.  In  Phil- 
adelphia there  are  five  principal  establishments  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Blacking — JAMES  L.  MASON  &  Co.,  JOHN  ANNEAR,  J.  &  E. 
NEWBERT,  and  CHARLES  0.  WILSON,  and  many  others  who  make  to  a 
limited  extent.  The  first-named  employs  seventy-five  persons,  and 
turns  out  three  and  a  half  millions  of  boxes  of  Blacking  per  year. 

Writing  Ink  is  made  by  Messrs.  MASON  &  Co.,  and  by  five  others, 
viz.,  BARTHOLOMEW  BUSSIER,  GREEN  &  Co.,  JOSEPH  E.  HOOVER,  APOL- 
LOS  W.  HARRISON,  and  SAMUEL  SCHURCH.  The  excellence  of  the  "  Co- 
lumbian Writing  Fluid,"  made  by  Harrison,  every  penman  is  familiar 
with. 

Lampblack,  as  we  previously  stated,  is  made  in  connection  with 
Printing  Inks,  and  also  at  separate  establishments.  Matlack's  Lamp- 
black, and  Martin's,  are  well-known,  both  in  this  country  and  in 
Europe. 

The  value  of  the  Blacking,  Inks,  and  Lampblack,  made  annually 
in  Philadelphia,  may  safely  be  stated  at  a  half  million  of  dollars. 

VI. 

Boxes,  Paper. 

Paper  Boxes  are  probably  made  more  extensively  in  Philadelphia 
than  in  any  other  American  city.  The  demand  for  Boxes,  for  all  pur- 
poses, renders  the  variety  seemingly  unlimited — Boxes  for  Fancy  Ho- 
siery, Shoes,  and  Parasols ;  Boxes  for  Shirts,  Bosoms,  and  Collars ; 
Boxes  for  Artificial  Flowers,  Ruches,  and  other  Millinery  goods ; 
Boxes  for  Brushes  and  Combs ;  for  Perfumery  and  Fancy  Soaps  ;  for 
Envelopes,  Pencils  and  other  Stationery ;  Confectionery  Boxes,  Jew- 
elry Boxes,  Pill  Boxes ;  and  Match  Boxes,  though  these  are  generally 
made  by  the  Match-makers.  All  these  different  descriptions  and  va- 
rieties, from  the  commonest  and  cheapest,  up  to  the  most  elabor- 
ately ornamented,  at  $2  each,  are  made  in  the  Philadelphia  manufac- 
tories. A  description  of  the  largest  establishment,  that  of  GFORGE 
W.  PLUMLY,  must  suffice  for  all.  It  consists  of  six  floors  in  all,  in- 
cluding a  basement,  and  each  room  is  appropriated  to  its  own  peculiar 
separate  and  distinct  operations.  In  the  basement,  and  under  the 
sidewalk,  there  is  a  boiler  supplying  steam  for  heating  the  building,  and 


BOXES,    PAPER.  403 

not  water  for  making  paste,  <tc. ;  also,  a  small  steam-engine  for  pump- 
ing water,  <fcc.  Here  a  man  and  boy  are  engaged  in  covering  paste- 
boards with  white  and  colored  paper,  which  is  done  by  a  machine  con- 
taining two  large  rollers — one  of  which  revolves  in  a  trough  filled  with 
paste,  the  sheet  being  passed  between  them,  covered  with  paste,  and 
the  paper  laid  on  both  sides.  The  sheets  are  subsequently  dried  and 
pressed.  The  first  floor  is  chiefly  occupied  as  a  warehouse,  counting- 
house,  <fec.  In  the  second,  the  large  boxes  which  require  sewing  are 
made  aiid  finished.  In  this,  and  in  other  rooms,  are  shears  of  every 
size  and  pattern ;  and  machinery  for  cutting,  with  great  rapidity, 
pasteboards  into  the  lengths  and  widths  required.  The  third  story 
is  devoted  to  another  description  of  work — the  largest  that  does  not 
require  sewing, — and  has  machinery  for  a  variety  of  purposes ;  such 
as  cutting  boards  into  circular  pieces  for  tops  and  bottoms  of  round 
boxes,  machinery  for  scoring  and  cutting  out  the  corners  preparatory 
to  making  square  boxes,  &c.  The  fourth  story  is  devoted  to  still 
smaller  work,  and  the  fifth  to  pill  and  other  round  boxes.  Here  the 
most  perfect  machinery  is  found.  One  machine,  invented  by  Mr. 
Plumly,  for  cutting  round  pieces  for  ends  of  boxes,  operates  with  such 
rapidity  that  it  is  said  5,000  can  be  cut  in  an  hour.  The  upper  stories 
are  subdivided,  and  one  part  of  each  occupied  by  the  men  who  cut 
and  prepare  the  work ;  the  other  by  the  women  and  girls  who  finish 
the  boxes.  The  cheapness  with  which  boxes  can  be  made  is  remark- 
able ;  some  of  very  neat  appearance  can  be  made  at  about  three 
cents  per  dozen  ;  and  yet  each  is  made  of  several  separate  pieces,  and 
each  has  to  be  many  times  handled,  covered  with  colored  or  fancy 
paper,  labelled,  and  packed.  Although  most  of  the  manipulations 
must  be  done  by  hand,  yet  within  the  last  few  years  a  great  variety 
of  machinery  has  been  invented  for  the  purpose,  which  gives  increased 
facilities  to  the  operations. 

The  Pasteboard  is  principally  obtained  from  mills  at  Chambersburg, 
Harrisburg,  and  Williamsport,  and  costs  upon  an  average  $50  per  ton. 
The  Glazed  and  Fancy  Papers,  of  which  the  consumption  is  consider- 
able, are  principally  imported. 

Mr.  Plnmly  makes  every  description  of  Boxes  ;  and  not  only  supplies 
in  part  this  city,  but  executes  orders  from  Boston  and  other  parts  of 
the  East,  and  from  the  chief  cities  of  the  South  and  West. 

The  whole  business  employs  325  hands,  and  the  annual  product  ia 
about  $175.000. 


PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

VII. 
Brushes. 

Few  articles  of  manufacture  admit  so  great  a  diversity  of  forms, 
sizes  and  qualities,  or  so  wide  a  range  of  uses,  as  the  production  of  the 
Urushmaker ;  and  of  none  does  it  hold  more  true  that  the  best  article 
is  the  cheapest.  From  the  delicate  Pencil  of  the  artist,  to  the 
"  Whitewash,"  or  the  "  Scrub,"  the  variety  in  style  and  ornamentation 
is  exceedingly  great. 

The  manufacture  in  this  city  includes  the  usual  variety  of  Hair,  Paint, 
and  the  commoner  kinds  of  Brushes,  and  employs  about  a  dozen  prin- 
cipal concerns,  besides  a  large  number  of  individuals  who  make  to  a 
limited  extent.  In  this,  as  in  other  branches,  our  manufacturers  have 
aimed  at  the  production  of  substantial  and  reliable  work.  In  the  im- 
portant article  of  a  Paint  Brush,  particularly,  some  of  them  have  suc- 
cessfully striven  to  excel ;  and  we  believe  Clinton's  Improved  Copper- 
bound  Paint  and  Yarnish  Brush  is  not  surpassed  by  any  in  this  coun- 
try, while  those  of  other  makers  are  generally  preferred  to  similar 
Brushes  made  elsewhere. 

Steam  has  not  as  yet  been  introduced  to  any  extent  in  the  Brush 
factories,  and  fewer  Brushes  are  made  in  the  Penitentiaries  and  Alms- 
houses,  in  this  State,  than  in  some  other  places ;  but  in  this  city,  the 
annual  production  in  the  House  of  Refuge,  and  Blind  Asylum,  is  in- 
creasing. The  present  product,  therefore,  including  that  in  Public 
Institutions,  amounts  to  about  $225,000  annually.  The  Bristles  are  im- 
ported principally  from  Russia;  a  cold  climate  being  indispensable,  it 
is  said,  to  their  perfection. 

Tooth  Brushes,  chiefly  of  the  open-backed  variety,  are  made  here  of 
a  quality  superior  to  the  imported. 

VIII. 

Buttons. 

Buttons  of  nearly  every  material  of  which  these  useful  little  articles 
are  usually  made,  including  Metal,  Pearl,  Bone,  Horn,  Paper,  and 
every  variety  of  Plain  and  Fancy  Covered  and  Silk  Buttons,  are  made 
in  Philadelphia. 

In  the  manufacture  of  Pearl  Buttons,  Philadelphia  takes  the  lead 
in  America.  We  have  been  shown  in  stores  Pearl  Buttons  of  Phila- 
delphia manufacture,  which,  in  neatness  and  beauty  of  finish,  we  were 
informed  were  superior  to  any  foreign  article,  and  certainly  could  not 
well  be  excelled  ;  and  Buttons  made  in  this  city,  are  not  unfrequently 
Bold  in  some  of  our  cities  as  imported  French  or  English.  Some  im- 


BUTTONS.  405 

provements  in  the  process  of  finishing,  unknown  elsewhere  in  the  busi- 
ness, have  been  introduced  here,  whereby  the  cost  is  lessened,  and  OUT 
manufacturers  enabled  to  compete  with  the  foreign. 

The  Pearl  employed  comes  from  the  East  Indian  and  China  seas, 
and  also  from  Panama  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  former  is  th« 
finer  in  quality,  as  well  as  more  expensive,  and  is  chiefly  used  for  the 
best  qualities  of  Shirt  Buttons  and  Studs.  There  are  about  eight  per- 
sons engaged  in  this  branch,  employing  usually  about  forty  hands,  and 
they  make  probably  two  thousand  gross  weekly  of  the  various  sizes, 
from  small  Shirt  Buttons  to  large  Coat  Buttons ;  and  with  a  remark- 
able range  of  prices,  from  forty  or  fifty  cents  to  twenty  dollars  per 
gross.  A  difficulty  exists  in  the  want  of  a  uniform  supply  of  material, 
which  becomes  at  times  very  scarce.  Mr.  EDWARD  MAEKLEW,  and  Mr. 
W.  GIBBS,  have  facilities  for  manufacturing  almost  any  amount,  and  we 
believe  dealers  generally  will  be  satisfied  with  a  trial  of  the  Buttons 
made  in  this  city. 

Bone  Buttons  and  Bone  Moulds,  of  every  size,  color,  and  description 
in  use,  are  made  extensively  by  several  persons,  to  the  amount 
of  many  thousand  gross  yearly.  Mr.  J.  WITZEL  employs  several 
improved  machines,  the  invention  of  Mr.  E.  Wahl,  of  this  city.  Of 
these,  the  most  important  is  a  machine  for  drilling  and  countersinking 
the  Button  on  both  sides  at  one  operation,  by  which  one  person  can  ac- 
complish the  labor  of  three.  From  25,000  to  30,000  Buttons  can  be 
thus  finished  up  by  its  aid  in  one  day.  One  of  these  is  now,  we  believe, 
in  successful  operation  in  Germany  by  a  Philadelphia  Button-maker. 
An  improved  Facing  and  Cutting-out  machine,  by  the  same  inventor, 
securing  greater  ease,  accuracy,  and  speed  than  the  old  ones,  seems 
also  an  important  auxiliary  in  producing  a  neat  and  smoothly  finished 
article.  We  are  not  aware  that  Horn  Buttons  are  made  by  more  than 
one  person  in  this  city,  his  product  being  some  eighteen  gross  per 
week.  Probably  the  demand  is  not  very  great. 

The  manufacture  of  Metallic  Buttons  is  chiefly  confined  to  those 
used  on  military  and  other  equipments. 

Messrs.  GEIERSHOFER,  LCEWI  &  Co.,  who  have  been  for  some  time  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  Covered  Buttons  of  every  variety,  have 
now  facilities  which  enable  them  to  challenge  foreign  competition.  Silk 
and  Fancy  Buttons  are  manufactured  by  a  large  number  of  persons  in 
this  city,  and  have  been  elsewhere  referred  to. 

Paper,  or  Papier-mache,  Buttons  are  made  here  also  to  a  limited 
extent. 
33 


40G  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS   MANUFACTUKES. 

IX. 

Cedar- Ware  and  Wooden-Ware. 

The  manufacture  of  Cedar-ware,  though  not  very  extensive  in  this 
city,  will  nevertheless  well  sustain  the  reputation  of  our  mechanics  in 
the  minor  as  well  as  the  larger  branches  of  productive  industry,  by  the 
undoubted  excellence  both  of  the  material  and  workmanship.  The 
chief  supply  of  Cedar,  for  this  business,  is  derived  from  Virginia  and 
Carolina.  There  are  about  ten  principal  establishments  engaged  in 
the  manufacture,  besides  many  smaller  ones. 

Of  these,  Mr.  C.  DREBY  is  the  largest,  employing  ordinarily  about 
fifteen  hands.  He  is  a  large  producer  of  all  the  important  articles  be- 
longing to  this  class,  including  Bath  Tubs,  Wash  Tubs,  Staff  and  Bar- 
rel Churns,  Buckets,  Pails,  Measures,  Chests,  &c.,  &c. 

The  manufacturers  referred  to,  employ  together  about  sixty  hands  on 
this  work,  and  have  invested  a  capital  of  about  $60,000.  The  annual 
production  is  not  far  from  $100,000. 

Wooden-ware,  including  all  the  various  Wooden  Housekeeping  articles 
not  made  of  Cedar,  employs  quite  a  number  of  small  establishments.  Only 
one,  we  believe,  uses  steam  power  in  the  business.  Among  the  articles 
of  this  class  may  be  enumerated — Kitchen  and  Ironing  Tables,  Meat 
Safes.  Scouring  Boards,  Step  Ladders,  Clothes  Horses,  Towel  Backs, 
Butlers'  Trays,  Plain  Foot  Stools,  Towel  Rollers,  Potato  Mashers, 
Rolling  Pins,  Cricket  Bats,  Close  Tools,  Toy  Building  Blocks,  Ironing 
Boards,  Tailors'  Press  Boards,  Wash  Boards,  Bungs  and  Spigots, 
Embroidery  Stands,  &c.,  all  of  which,  with  numerous  other  like  arti- 
cles of  excellent  quality,  we  have  seen  in  the  factories  of  two  of  our 
principal  manufacturers,  W.  J.  WALKER,  and  J.  LEWIS  &  SON,  in  our 
tour  of  inquiry.  Cherry  Wash  Boards,  of  a  quality  superior  to  any  of 
the  same  kind  from  abroad,  are  made  here,  but  only  to  a  limited  extent. 
Large  quantities  made  of  other  material  come  here  from  other  markets. 
There  are  no  factories  for  making  cheap  Painted  Buckets  or  Wooden 
Bowls,  and  some  other  articles  of  this  class.  The  land  of  Notions 
and  Wooden  Nutmegs  is  still  the  wholesale  producer  of  cheap  articles 
in  this  branch,  although  each  year  is  rendering  us  more  independent. 
A  larger  amount  of  capital,  we  judge,  might  be  profitably  invested  in 
this  business  ;  -and  we  do  not  know  why  steam  factories  should  not  be 
sustained  by  our  growing  trade  with  all  parts  of  the  country. 

•     •"/.     O-.:;i 


COMBS.  407 

X. 

Combs. 

Combs  are  made  in  this  city,  of  Gold  and  Silver,  Horn,  Buffalo 
Horn,  and  Shell ;  but  the  recent  introduction  and  popularity  of  India 
Rubber  Combs  have  materially  lessened  the  demand  and  trenched  upon 
the  profits  of  the  business. 

Horn  Combs  constitute  the  leading  and  staple  product.  They  are 
made  of  all  descriptions  and  of  very  good  quality,  at  more  than  a  dozen 
different  establishments,  and  by  many  others  individually.  Some  of  these 
produce  Combs  equal  or  superior  to  any  made  elsewhere,  while  those 
of  all  our  manufacturers  have  the  merit  of  opening  in  conformity  witli 
the  sample.  The  facilities  for  obtaining  a  cheap  and  abundant  supply 
of  material  are  exceedingly  good,  and  Eastern  manufacturers  come 
here  for  their  supply.  One  factory  in  this  city,  we  are  informed,  con- 
sumes not  less  than  four  thousand  horns  weekly,  at  a  cost  of  from  four 
to  twelve  dollars  per  hundred. 

In  Tortoise  Shell  and  Buffalo  Horn,  usually  quite  distinct  branches 
of  business  from  the  foregoing,  we  have  three  or  four  principal  manu- 
facturers, whose  work,  for  quality  and  quantity,  has  secured  to  Phila- 
delphia the  pre-eminence  in  the  Comb  business  of  the  United  States. 
Large  quantities  of  Shell,  particularly,  are  worked  up  with  great  taste 
and  skill ;  and  as  much  of  the  value  of  a  Comb  is  derived  from  the 
labor  put  upon  it,  our  manufacturers  are  only  able  to  compete  with  the 
foreign  article,  by  a  more  successful  adaptation  of  the  styles  to  the 
prevailing  taste  of  the  ladies,  who  do  not  generally  fancy  the  French. 
In  this  our  Comb-makers  lead  the  fashion,  and  change  their  styles,  par- 
ticularly in  the  finer  carved  varieties,  every  six  months. 

A  principal  part  of  the  Shell  used  here  cornea  from  the  West  India 
Islands,  and  the  best  qualities  from  China.  The  cost  of  the  former  is 
$6  to  $7  per  lb.,  the  latter  somewhat  more.  Buffalo  Horn  is  chiefly 
derived  from  South  America ;  a  very  small  part  from  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  Several  very  ingenious  machines  have  been  adapted  to 
various  parts  of  the  process  by  Mr.  Redheffer,  of  this  city,  who  has 
patents  for  these  and  other  improvements  in  the  different  branches. 
Our  manufacturers  export  their  Combs  to  the  West  Indies,  Mexico, 
California,  and  all  parts  of  the  Continent.  The  capital  employed  is 
between  $40,000  and  $50,000.  The  number  of  hands  altogether  em- 
ployed is  little  short  of  two  hundred;  their  average  wages  $7£  per 
week,  and  the  annual  product  about  $150,000. 


408  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XI. 

Musical  Instruments. 

The  Musical  Instruments  that  are  made  in  Philadelphia  comprisa 
Organs,  Melodeons,  Accordeons,  Concertinos,  Violins,  Flutes,  Gui- 
tars, Drums,  and  Piano-Fortes.  Organs  are  made  by  four  manufac- 
turers— the  two  largest  probably  ever  constructed  in  this  city  being 
that  in  Concert  Hall,  with  4  manuals  and  pedals,  60  registers,  and 
3,050  pipes,  and  that  in  Calvary  Presbyterian  Church,  with  3  manuals 
and  pedals,  44  registers,  and  1,865  pipes.  In  tone,  workmanship,  and 
action,  the  Philadelphia-made  Organs  possess  as  many  excellencies  as 
any  that  can  be  found  either  in  this  country  or  Europe. 

Melodeons  are  made  to  some  extent  by  two  houses ;  and  Accordeons 
are  made  largely  by  ANTHONY  FAAS,  whose  instruments  are  claimed  to 
be  better  in  every  respect  than  the  French  and  German  articles  im- 
ported. Their  range  of  notes  doubles  that  of  the  foreign  Accordeon ; 
their  construction  is  stronger,  and  by  an  echo  attachment  similar  to 
the  pedal  of  a  piano,  the  tone  may  be  sweet  and  delicate  as  that  of  a 
flute,  or  changed  to  the  deep  and  powerful  volume  of  the  organ.  Six 
Silver  Medals  have  been  awarded  this  manufacturer,  a  favorable  indi- 
cation of  the  growing  appreciation  of  Philadelphia  Instruments.  These 
Accordeons  are  sold  only  by  JOSEPH  SERVOSS,  16  North  Second  street. 
Patent  Concertinos,  a  modification  of  the  Accordeon,  are  manufactured 
by  Mr.  C.  M.  ZIMMERMAN,  who  received  a  first  premium  at  the  World's 
Fair,  in  London.  Over  one  hundred  men  and  a  capital  of  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars  are  employed  in  this  business. 

Philadelphia  is  the  principal  city  in  the  Union  for  the  manufacture 
of  Violins.  The  principal  makers  are  JOSEPH  NEFF,  JOSEPH  WINNER, 
MATHIAS  KELLER,  C.  M.  ZIMMERMAN,  JOHN  PFAFF,  and  A.  M.  ALBERT, 
most  of  whom  enjoy  the  highest  reputation  with  Musicians  and  Music 
dealers.  For  brilliancy  of  tone  their  Violins  are  famous,  and  are  ex- 
tensively used  in  Orchestras.  Mr.  Neff  has  received  for  his  Violins 
five  Silver  Medals,  and  the  Diploma  of  the  New  York  Exhibition  in 
1853. 

Flutes  and  Guitars,  of  the  very  best  quality,  are  made  by  KLEMM  & 
BROTHER,  and  by  Mr.  J.  BERWIND.  The  latter  also  makes  a  kind  of 
Eolian  Harp,  little  known  in  this  country,  called  the  Cithern,  with  thirty- 
six  strings. 

German  Silver  Band  Instruments  are  made  by  Klemm  &  Brother, 
who  largely  import  Brass  Instruments.  A  manufactory  of  these  is 
about  being  established. 

Drums  make  little  noise,  though  their  quality,  it  is  said,  cannot  be 


PIANOS — OIL   CLOTHS.  409 

beaten  by  any  in  the  world.  There  are  two  manufacturers  of  these ; 
one  of  whom  has  a  patent  contrivance  for  straining  the  head  of  the 
Drum  to  a  uniform  tightness.  Mr.  Zimmerman  has  large  contracts 
with  Government  for  his  Military  Drums.  Tambourines  and  Banjos,  as 
well  as  Musical  Chairs,  are  made  by  him. 

The  most  important  branch  of  the  Musical  Instrument  manufacture, 
however,  is  that  of  Piano-Fortes.  The  business  was  established  by  Mr. 
Thomas  Loud,  in  1820 ;  and  there  are  now  twenty  manufacturers  in 
the  city,  none  of  whom  however  prosecute  it  on  a  very  extensive  scale 
compared  with  the  manufacturers  in  Albany,  and  other  places.  Of 
novelties,  perhaps,  the  most  remarkable  and  valuable  is  a  small  Piano, 
two  thirds  the  ordinary  size,  which  has  been  invented  by  Messrs.  GOLD- 
SMITH &  Co.  They  claim  that  in  quality  it  is  equal  to  the  others,  while 
costing  one  third  less.  It  has  a  double  sounding-board ;  and  in  a  pecu- 
liar manner  the  strings  are  brought  across  the  main  bridge  and  at- 
tached to  another  section  of  the  bridge :  a  method  claimed  to  give  an 
increased  volume  of  sound,  and  a  delicate  vibration. 

A.  B.  REICHENBACH,  1230  Chestnut  street,  claims  to  use  an  action 
distinct  from  all  others ;  having  less  friction,  and  being  less  liable  to 
get  out  of  order.  The  pedal  and  damper  are  peculiar  in  their  construc- 
tion ;  and  not  only  in  the  tone  and  quality  of  the  Piano,  as  a  Musical 
Instrument,  does  he  aim  at  perfection,  but  he  also  pays  special  atten- 
tion to  making  it  beautiful  as  parlor  furniture.  The  serpentine  leg 
veneered  with  rosewood  is  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  beautiful  in 
use,  and  is  made,  we  believe,  only  by  Mr.  Reichenbach.  The  Pianos 
of  the  Philadelphia  trade  are  justly  celebrated  for  their  handsome 
appearance,  power,  and  exquisite  tone.  The  capital  invested  in 
Piano-Fortes  is  $150,000;  men  employed,  250;  product  annually, 
$315,000. 

XII. 
Oil  Cloths. 

The  manufacture  of  Floor  Oil  Cloths  is  limited  to  two  houses — 
THOMAS  POTTER,  and  JAMES  CARMICHAEL.  The  aggregate  capital  is 
$170,000,  the  employees  150 ;  and  the  materials  consumed  annually  arc 
stated  as  follows:  67,000  gallons  Linseed  Oil,  17,500  gallons  Spirits 
Turpentine,  329  tons  of  Whiting,  164  tons  Yellow  Ochre,  21,000  Ibs. 
Glue,  52,250  Ibs.  of  Lamp-black,  525,000  yards  of  Cotton  Cloth,  50,000 
yards  Cotton  Drill,  49,000  yards  of  Cotton  Duck,  202,000  yards  Linen 
Canvas,  2,650  tons  of  Coal ;  and  the  annual  product  is  $289,000. 
The  Philadelphia  establishments  in  this  branch  are  peculiar,  inasmuch 
33* 


410  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

as  they  manufacture  a  variety  of  articles — Table  Oil  Cloths,  Stair 
Crash,  and  Enameled  Oil  Cloths  iu  imitation  of  Leather,  used  for  cov- 
ering Carriages,  and  also  for  covering  Desks,  Tables,  and  Cushions, 
as  well  as  Floor  Oil  Cloths.  The  establishments  in  other  places  limit 
their  production  to  one  class  of  goods,  that  is  to  Oil  Cloths  only,  or  to 
Enameled  Cloths  only.  Stair  Crash,  it  is  said,  was  first  made  in  this 
city,  and  nearly  the  entire  production  in  this  country  is  still  confined 
to  the  Philadelphia  establishments. 

XIII. 

Perfumery  and  Fancy  Soaps. 

The  manufacture  and  consumption  of  Perfumery  and  Soaps,  are  not 
necessarily  evidences  of  a  love  for  personal  cleanliness.  Cologne,  the 
dirtiest  city  in  the  world,  is  providentially  the  great  manufactory  of 
Perfumery.  The  name  of  Jean  Maria  Farina  is  synonymous  with 
Cologne  bottle ;  and  in  the  London  Exhibition  there  were  four  J.  M. 
F.'s,  each  claiming  to  be  the  original.  To  such  an  extent  is  specula- 
tion in  the  name  carried  in  that  city  of  seventy-four  distinct  smells, 
that  children  entitled  to  the  surname  of  Farina  are  bargained  for  as 
soon  as  born,  and  christened  Jean  Maria ;  and  at  times  this  event  is 
said  to  be  anticipated. 

In  Philadelphia  the  manufacture  of  Soaps  and  Perfumery  is  an 
important  and  extensive  business.  The  materials  employed  are  palm 
oil,  tallow  and  lard,  cocoa-nut  oil,  caustic  alkali,  sal  soda,  soda  ash, 
and  various  essences,  and  essential  oils  of  oranges,  lemons,  &c.  In 
quality  the  manufacturers  claim,  and  we  think  justly,  that  the  Fancy 
Soaps  made  in  this  city  are  unrivaled.  A  New  York  critic  remarked 
upon  the  Soaps  exhibited  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  in  1853 : 

"BAZIN  of  Philadelphia,  the  successor  of  the  well-known  Roussell,  makes  as 
fine  Soaps  as  any  in  the  world.  Very  little  inferior  to  them,  if  at  all,  are  the 
Soaps  of  JQLES  HAUEL,  of  the  same  city.  There  is  no  doubt  that  these  produc- 
tions must  eventually  succeed  in  driving  the  French  Soaps  out  of  the  market. 
In  the  inferior  and  cheaper  class  of  Soaps,  the  articles  made  by  Colgate  und 
Hull  seem  to  be  most  generally  in  use.  The  Soaps  and  Perfumery  manufactured 
by  the  Messrs.  TAVLOR.  of  Philadelphia,  are  as  fine  as  any  that  can  be  produced. 
We  have  already  alluded  to  a  Gothic  window  contributed  by  them,  the  panes  of 
which  are  composed  of  transparent,  or  rather  translucent  Soap,  in  a  great  variety 
of  tints.  The  effect  is  almost  as  perfect  as  that  of  stained  glass." 

The  manufacture  of  Perfumery  is  usually  carried  on  conjointly  with 
that  of  Fancy  Soaps.  Messrs.  GLENN  &  Co.,  successors  of  L.  W. 


ROOFING.  41  1 

Glenn,  are,  we  believe,  the  oldest  house  in  this  business,  having  been  es- 
blished  upward  of  thirty  years  ago.  APOLLOS  W.  HARRISON  is  a  well- 
known  exclusively  wholesale  manufacturer.  The  following  statistics  of 
some  of  his  annual  expenditures  will  illustrate  how  extensively  the  busi- 
ness is  carried  on  by  certain  houses  in  this  city,  viz. :  for  paper  boxes, 
$9,000 ;  for  wooden  boxes,  $3,000 ;  for  paper  and  printing,  including 
lithography,  $6,700 ;  for  glass,  $19,000,  &c.  Mr.  Harrison  employs  from 
sixty  to  eighty  hands,  has  twenty-five  traveling  agents  in  various  parts 
of  the  United  States  and  the  Canadas,  and  his  sales  of  Perfumery 
and  Soap,  during  the  last  year,  amounted  to  $140,000.  Messrs.  R.  & 
G.  A.  WRIGHT,  another  popular  and  well-known  firm,  have  a  factory 
one  hundred  feet  square,  and  which  is  believed  to  be  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  France,  England,  or  America.  Messrs.  A.  HAWLEY  &  Co. 
make,  it  is  said,  a  greater  variety  of  Fruit  Essences  for  flavoring  Min- 
eral Water  Syrups,  Confectionery,  Jellies,  &c.,  than  any  other  house. 
Their  various  Extracts  for  the  Handkerchief,  Pomades,  Toilet  Pow- 
ders, Soaps,  Shaving  Creams,  Tooth  Pastes,  &c.,  are  very  popular, 
and  are  noted  not  less  for  their  durability  of  the  odors  than  for  the 
exquisiteness  of  the  perfume.  Their  Pomades,  it  is  claimed,  will  keep 
five  years  entirely  unchanged.  Mr.  Hawley  is  a  Chemist,  and  devotes 
great  attention  to  the  Chemical  processes  involved  in  the  manufacture 
of  Perfumery  and  Toilet  Soaps. 

The  value  of  these  articles  annually  manufactured  in  this  city,  esti- 
mating for  what  is  done  by  other  than  the  regular  houses,  is  about 
$850,000. 

XIV. 

Roofing. 

The  importance  of  a  good  Roof  cannot  well  be  over-estimated ;  and 
in  a  great  city  the  selection  of  a  material  that  is  Fire  Proof,  as  well  as 
Water  Proof,  seems  to  be  a  duty  which  a  builder  owes  to  the  public. 
Shingles,  of  course,  from  their  combustible  nature,  if  for  no  other 
reason,  cannot  be  recommended.  Of  Metallic  Roofs  there  are  a  great 
variety  presenting  claims  to  public  attention  and  public  confidence. 
Slate  is  used  to  some  considerable  extent,  and  Tin  still  more  extensively, 
as  a  material  for  Roofing.  Zinc  has  not  been  found  well  adapted  to  the 
climate  ;  but  as  a  protective  coating  for  Sheet  Iron,  it  is,  as  we  stated, 
extensively  used.  One  manufactory  in  this  city  is  occupied  in  coating 
Iron  for  Roofing  with  a  preparation,  of  which  the  principal  ingredient 
is  said  to  be  Indian  Rubber.  The  manufacture  of  Corrugated  Iron 
for  Roofing  we  have  already  alluded  to.  Within  a  very  few  yeara 


412  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

Composition  Roofs  have  become  very  popular,  and  the  manufacture  of 
them  constitutes  an  important  business.  These  roofs  combine  rnauy 
advantages,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  experience  may  ultimately  justify 
the  large  expectations  that  have  been  formed  of  them. 

In  1852  a  Composition  Roofing,  which  had  been  in  use  for  many 
years  iu  the  West,  was  introduced  to  this  city  by  Messrs.  H.  M. 
WARREN  &  Co.,  228  Walnut  street.  It  is  known  as  Warren's  Im- 
proved Fire  and  Water  Proof  Roofing.  This  article  seems,  in  a 
remarkable  degree,  to  have  united  the  suffrages  of  builders  and 
consumers  of  every  class  in  its  favor ;  and  if  we  may  judge  of  its 
merits  by  the  degree  of  popularity  it  has  rapidly  attained,  it  must  com- 
bine many  points  of  excellence.  The  buildings,  whether  private  resi- 
dences, stores,  warehouses,  factories,  depots,  or  public  buildings,  in- 
cluding a  part  of  the  United  States  Mint,  which  have  been  covered 
with  it  in  this  and  neighboring  cities,  within  a  few  years,  are  among 
the  largest  and  best  known ;  and  the  names  of  many  of  the  leading 
business  men  are  appended  to  testimonials  in  its  favor.  It  has  been 
received  with  equal  favor  in  other  States,  and  in  Canada.  The  mate- 
rials used  in  its  construction  are  Felt,  Composition,  and  Gravel.  The 
two  former  are  said  to  be  made  of  such  ingredients  as  possess  elas- 
ticity and  tenacity,  and  are  combined  with  the  latter  so  as  to  form  a 
Roof  not  only  durable,  with  no  liability  to  crack  or  decay,  but  one 
which  is  impervious  to  both  fire  and  water — a  combination  never  before 
obtained  iu  a  Composition  Roof.  Its  fire-proof  qualities  have  been 
repeatedly  subjected  to  severe  tests,  specially  instituted  for  the  purpose, 
and  it  seems  to  have  passed  the  "  ordeal  by  fire"  with  perfect  impunity. 
The  advantages  upon  which  the  manufacturers  base  its  claims  as  an  im- 
provement upon  all  others,  are,  that,  in  addition  to  being  Fire  and  Water 
proof,  it  is  also  cheap  and  durable,  and  requires  a  less  pitch,  and  conse- 
quently less  area  to  be  covered,  and  less  masonry  upon  the  walls,  while 
furnishing  more  facilities  for  light  and  ventilation  ;  besides  being  more 
accessible  on  ordinary  and  extraordinary  occasions  than  any  other. 
They  also  claim  that  it  will  not  expand  and  contract  by  heat  like 
Metal  Roofs,  and  will  bear  more  than  double  as  much  heat  without 
danger  to  the  boarding  beneath ;  that  it  requires  only  an  inclination 
of  one  inch  to  the  foot,  and  may  be  walked  upon  or  used  for  drying  pur- 
poses without  injury  ;  that  it  is  a  great  advantage  to  firemen  when  adjoin- 
ing buildings  are  on  fire ;  that  it  is  not  injuriously  affected  by  changes 
of  temperature,  or  by  the  jarring  of  machinery ;  that  it  is  adapted  to  every 
climate,  and  is  easily  and  quickly  repaired  ;  that  Gutters  of  the  same 
material  may  be  formed  on  the  roof;  and  finally,  the  cost  of  it  is  only 
about  one  half  that  of  tin,  and  less  than  that  of  any  other  Fire  Proof 


STRAW   AND    MILLINERY    GOODS.  413 

Roof  now  in  use.  If  it  possess  these  qualities,  of  which  there  seems 
to  be  no  doubt,  Messrs.  Warren  &  Co.  well  deserve  the  success  which 
has  attended  its  introduction. 


XV. 

Straw  and  Millinery  Goods. 

SIR  :  The  manufacture  of  Straw  Goods,  in  Philadelphia,  was  an  important  and 
an  increasing  one,  prior  to  the  late  commercial  revulsion.  The  product  of  the 
factories  of  WHITE,  COSTER,  WILCOCKS,  ROGERS  A  FRALET,  and  other  firms,  had 
obtained  a  deserved  celebrity  in  the  South  and  West,  and  large  orders  were  filled 
here  from  parties  who  had  previously  made  their  purchases  further  East.  The 
business  embraces  not  only  Bonnets  for  ladies  and  Flats  for  girls,  but  Hats  and 
Caps  for  men  and  boys  ;  and  includes  also  the  Stiffening,  Pressing,  and  Shaping  of 
Panama  and  other  imported  Hats.  You  inform  me  yon  have  already  noticed  the 
manufacture  of  STRAW  HATS,  which  is  the  larger  part  of  the  business. 

The  Straw  Goods  manufacture  requires  much  room  for  Bleaching,  and  can  be 
more  advantageously  carried  on  in  a  country  village  :  consequently  one  of  our 
well-known  manufacturers  removed  to  the  village  of  Bridgeport,  Montgomery 
County,  where  he  erected  the  most  commodious  and  complete  factory;  and  when 
the  business  was  prosperous  employed  about  two  hundred  persons,  mostly  fe- 
males. The  manufacturers  in  the  city  are  also  engaged  in  making  Silk  Bonnets, 
Bonnet  Frames,  Ac.,  and  conduct  a  Jobbing  or  Retail  business,  or  both.  The 
Braid  for  Bonnets  is  chiefly  imported,  and  known  as  English,  Florence,  Italian, 
Neapolitan,  Ac.  The  Bonnets  and  Hats  made  here,  especially  those  for  children, 
exhibit  excellent,  in  fact  remarkable  taste.  Some  establishments  are  devoted 
largely  to  Bleaching  and  Pressing  Hats  and  Bonnets,  and  conforming  them  to  the 
prevailing  styles.  The  largest  of  these  is,  perhaps,  that  of  JAMES  TELFORD,  who 
also  makes  Silk  Bonnets  and  Bonnet  Frames.  The  annual  production  of  Straw 
Goods  was  over  $600,000— being  $350,000  for  Hats,  and  $250,000  for  Bonnets. 

MILLINERY  GOODS. — The  manufacture  of  Ruchet  alone  employs  two  hundred 
hands,  most  of  whom  are  females.  JOEL  THOMAS,  who  has  been  engaged  for 
fifteen  years  in  making  Ruches,  was  the  first  to  make  it  an  exclusive  business ; 
and  for  many  years  he  chiefly  supplied  New  York  and  Boston,  as  well  as  Phila- 
delphia. By  introducing  machinery,  which  is  unequaled  elsewhere,  he  has  been 
enabled  greatly  to  increase  the  production.  So  perfect  is  this  machinery,  that 
one  man  can  goffer  from  six  hundred  to  seven  hundred  dozen  in  a  day;  and  the 
establishment  can  turn  out  one  thousand  dozen  of  finished  Ruches  per  day,  be- 
sides other  Millinery  goods.  Favorable  arrangements  for  the  importation  of  the 
raw  material  enables  him  to  compete  successfully  with  rival  makers  in  other 
cities.  Footings  and  Edgings  are  also  joined  to  a  large  extent,  which  are  known 
to  the  trade  as  Joined  Blonds.  Ruches  are  also  made  by  hand  by  a  number  of 
others ;  and  the  total  annual  production  exceeds  $150,000. 

Or  ARTIFICIAL  FLOWERS,  the  manufacture  has  declined  in  importance  within 
the  last  few  years.  The  preference  for  French  Flowers,  in  the  importation  of 
which  a  considerable  business  is  done  in  Philadelphia,  has  retarded  the  native 


414  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

production  and  compelled  a  number  of  establishments  to  abandon  the  business. 
There  are  now  not  over  seven  houses  in  the  city  that  can  be  called  manufacturers 
of  Artificial  Flowers.     There  are  others  where  something  of  the  kind  is  done, 
but  not  to  any  extent.    The  largest  establishment  employs  fifty  girls,  and  another 
forty-five.     The  number  of  persons  employed  is  about  two  hundred,  and  the  an- 
nual product  is  about  $85,000. 

Artificial  Flowers,  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  natural  flower,  of  variously 
tinted  paper,  for  mantels  and  other  ornamental  purposes  and  festive  occasions, 
and  also  Wax  Flowers  and  Fruits,  &c.,  are  made  by  Mrs.  A.  M.  HOLLINGSWORTU, 
who  keeps  a  very  great  variety  of  Materials  for   Flowers  of  every  kind — paper 
muslin,  silver  and  waxed  leaves,  stamens  and  pips  for  Flowers,  cups  for  roses, 
tissue,  carmine,  blue,  glazed,  and  mottled  papers,  cut  Flowers,  sheet  wax  for  Wax 
Flowers,  and  materials  for  Fancy  Leather  Work  and  Potchiumania,  Ac.,  &c. 

JJintnvt  Wire,  which  is  said  to  be  superior  to  that  imported,  or  made  elsewhere 
in  this  country,  is  made  by  M.  Bird ;  also  by  Joseph  Moore,  and  others. 

Bonnet  Frames  are  made  to  an  extent  that  causes  us  to  wonder  where  the  fair 
heads  are  which  will  wear  them  when  covered  and   trimmed.     One  firm  alone 
makes  16,000  dozen  yearly;  and  the  whole  quantity  made  for  sale  out  of  the  city 
is  at  least  100,000  dozen,  requiring  of  course  1,200,000  female  heads  to  fasten 
them  to.   Not  only  the  West  and  South,  but  some  parts  of  the  East,  are  supplied 
with  Frames  made  in  Philadelphia. 

Silk  Bonnets,  and  Bonnet  Frames,  are  largely  made  by  LINCOLN,  WOOD  &  NICH- 
OLS, and  I.  S.  CUSTER  ;  also  by  J.  TELFORD,  A.  E.  CARPENTER,  and  many  others. 
The  first-named  firm  not  only  supply  the  Western  and  Southern  trade,  but  have 
very  extensive  orders  from  Boston  and  other  parts  of  New  England.    This  manu- 
facture is  carried  on  in  connection  with  the  jobbing  and  retail  trade,  and  by  some 
in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of  Straw  Goods.    Besides  the  larger  manufac- 
turers, our  most  celebrated  Milliners  make  up  Bonnets  during  the  dull  season*, 
which  they  supply  both  to  the  Philadelphia  Jobbers  and  directly  to  Western  and 
Southern  merchants.     The  well-known  taste  and  skill  of  Philadelphia  Milliners 
have  obtained  for  the  Bonnets  made  here  a  high  reputation.     It  is  a  fact,  not 
generally  known,  that  many  families  in  the  South  and  West  have  the  Clothing 
and  Boots  for  the  gentlemen,  and  the  Dresses,  Bonnets,  and  Shoes  for  the  ladies^ 
3i»de  in  this  city,  which  has  a  deserved  reputation  for  superior  articles. 
The  annual  production  is  as  follows  : — 

Straw  Goods,  $600,000— deduct  Straw  Hats  already  enumerated, 

$350,000— Bonnets  a-lone,       ......         $250,000 

Ruches,  and  other  Millinery  Goods,   -----  150,000 

100,000  dozen  Bonnet  Frames,  .....  110,000 

Silk  Bonnets, 100,000 

Artificial  Flowers, 85,000 

Total, $695,000 

This  is  simply  the  product  in  the  manufactories  in  this  branch.     The  articles 
of  Millinery  made  up  in  this  city  by  individuals  is,  of  course,  very  large. 


SURGICAL    AND    DENTAL    INSTRUMENTS.  415 

XVI. 
Surgical  and  Dental  Instruments— And  Appliances,  etc. 

The  manufacture  of  Surgical  and  Dental  Instruments,  Trusses,  Splints,  Ban- 
dage?, and  the  various  Appliances  which  constitute  the  armamenta  of  the  Sur- 
geon, demand  on  the  part  of  the  manufacturer  who  would  rise  to  eminence,  other 
elements  of  success  than  mere  mechanical  skill.  The  Surgeon  has  to  deal  with 
living  tissues  of  great  sensibility ;  and  whether  he  be  called  upon  to  remove  dis- 
eased or  injured  parts,  to  restrain  unhealthy  or  irregular  development — to  aid  the 
curative  power  of  nature,  or  to  compensate  for  lost  members  by  artificial  contri- 
vances— the  judgment,  tact,  inventive  power,  and  manual  dexterity  of  the  In- 
strument maker,  and  even  some  knowledge  of  the  anatomical  relations  and  func- 
tions of  the  parts,  are  important  aids  to  the  Surgeon  in  carrying  out  his  ideas. 
The  perfection,  finish,  strength,  and  reliability  of  the  workmanship,  are  of  the 
highest  importance  both  to  Surgeon  and  patient,  often  involving  the  success  of 
the  one,  and  the  comfort,  if  not  the  very  life  of  the  other.  Hence  he  is  com- 
pelled to  be  something  more  than  a  mere  artisan,  to  keep  pace  with  the  ad- 
vance of  surgical  knowledge,  ever  aiming  at  the  simplicity  which  characterizes 
the  Surgery  of  the  present  day.  At  the  same  time,  the  delicacy  of  construction 
of  many  Instruments,  upon  which  often  depends  the  success  of  the  operator, 
as  in  Ophthalmic  Surgery  for  example,  requires  a  nice  mechanical  hand,  and  the 
best  of  material.  In  view  then  of  the  qualifications  required,  it  is  no  small  com- 
pliment to  say,  as  we  can  say  with  truth,  that  the  best  Cutlers  are  and  always 
have  been  Philadelphia  houses. 

Philadelphia  has  become  noted  for  its  manufacture  of  Surgical  and  Dental  In- 
struments, partly  by  reason  of  the  number  of  its  eminent  Colleges  of  Medicine, 
which  have  made  it  the  chief  seat  of  medical  learning  in  this  country,  and  partly 
by  the  superior  skill  of  the  Instrument  maker  ;  most  of 'the  improvements  in  these 
Instruments,  originating  in  this  country,  having  been  made  in  this  city.  Nearly 
the  whole  of  the  West  and  South  is  supplied  by  this  city,  on  account  of  the  cheap- 
ness and  superiority  of  the  manufactures ;  and  greater  facilities  for  cheap  and  rapid 
communication  with  Southern  ports,  is  alone  needed  to  secure  a  still  larger  share 
of  the  Southern  trade.  It  is  everywhere  the  custom  of  Druggists  to  keep  more 
or  less  of  Surgical  Instruments  on  hand,  which  they  procure  from  the  manufac- 
turer at  a  discount,  and  sell  at  his  card  prices.  Some  of  the  Philadelphia  houses 
are  thus  engaged  in  supplying  an  extensive  wholesale  trade;  while  others  confine 
themselves  more  to  a  retail  business,  or  make  to  order.  To  the  latter  class  also, 
more  especially,  it  belongs  in  part  to  prepare  for  the  many  Professors,  Hospital 
and  practicing  Surgeons  of  the  city  and  vicinity,  the  various  Splints,  Bandages, 
Trusses  and  appliances  for  surgical  injuries  and  deformities,  with  their  required 
modifications  for  special  cases.  The  manufacture  of  Trusses,  Bandages,  Spinal, 
and  other  apparatus,  is  conducted  as  a  separate  business  by  a  number  in 
this  city.  There  are  two  who  devote  themselves  exclusively  to  the  manu- 
facture of  Artificial  Limbs.  Mr.  JOHN  P.  OnD  has  been  long  and  favorably 
Known  as  a  maker  of  these;  while  B.  FRANK  PALMEK'S  Artificial  Limbs  have 
achieved  a  world-wide  reputation.  So  successful  is  the  imitation  of  the  natura. 


416  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

motions  of  the  joints,  and  so  light  and  elegant  the  construction,  that  we  have 
heard  eminent  Surgeons  declare  that  they  would  prefer  this  excellent  substitute 
to  some  natural  legs  they  endeavor  to  save.  About  five  hundred  Limbs  are 
fitted  annually  at  the  manufactory  in  this  city,  and  at  the  two  branch  offices. 
This  ingenious  inventor  informs  us  that  he  has  originated  a  Steel-trap  Leg, 
which  a  man  may  go  on  by  day  and  catch  rats  with  at  night;  and  recommends, 
as  a  new  branch  of  Productive  Industry,  the  manufacture  of  Artificial  Back- 
bones for  the  benefit  of  weak  politicians  and  clergymen. 

The  number  of  establishments  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  Surgical  and 
Dental  Instruments  is  at  present  eight.  Mr.  HORATIO  G.  KERN  is  now,  we  believe, 
the  most  extensive  maker  of  both  these  classes  of  instruments,  not  only  in  the 
city  but  in  the  United  States.  He  has  an  Instrument  for  every  tooth  in  the  head, 
and  can  furnish  Dental  Cases  at  prices  varying  from  $50  to  $500.  His  house 
has  been  established  for  upward  of  twenty  years. 

Mr.  J.  H.  GEMRIG  is  also  a  celebrated  maker  of  lustruments  for  Surgi«al  and 
Dental  Professors.  The  greater  part  of  the  Instruments  used  in  the  Jefferson 
College,  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  were 
made  by  him;  and  the  esteem  in  which  his  workmanship  is  held  by  the  Profes- 
sors in  those  institutions,  and  others  of  distinction,  is  evidenced  by  the  frequent 
complimentary  allusions  to  it  by  many  of  them  in  their  lectures  to  their  students. 
His  Instruments  for  operations  upon  the  eye,  in  particular,  are  preferred  to  any 
of  European  make,  by  one  whose  success  in  some  branches  of  Ophthalmic 
practice,  is  equal  to  that  of  any  living  Surgeon.  His  Pocket  Surgical  Cases, 
are  also  specially  characterized  by  neatness,  compactness,  and  excellence  of 
finish.  All  the  new  Instruments,  as  they  are  introduced  from  Europe,  are  re- 
produced by  him  for  the  use  of  our  Surgeons,  at  much  less  cost  than  the  im- 
ported. 

The  other  principal  makers  are  GEORGE  SNOWDEN,  PUGH  MADEIRA,  M.  KUE- 
MERLE,  D.  W.  KOLBE,  and  Louis  V.  HELMOLD.  Besides  these,  Mr.  F.  LEY- 
POLDT,  508  E.  North  street,  makes  the  manufacture  of  Scarificators  and  Spring 
Lancets  a  specialty.  Both  of  these  Instruments  he  makes  of  a  variety  of  patterns, 
sizes,  and  materials ;  but  his  Patent  Scarificator  he  believes  combines  several 
qualities  which  render  it  superior  to  all  others.  It  is  one  third  smaller,  yet  with 
the  same  number  of  ordinary-sized  Lancets,  which  are  also  protected  by  a  plate 
from  the  effects  of  verdigris.  It  is  more  readily  kept  clean,  and  is  so  simple  and 
durable  as  to  be  taken  apart  and  put  together  again  with  facility,  and  conse- 
quently is  easily  repaired.  His  prices  are  also  very  moderate. 

The  amount  of  capital  employed  in  the  Surgical  and  Dental  Instrument  busi- 
ness is  $200,000.  The  number  of  workmen  engaged  is  two  hundred,  and  the  total 
annual  production  is  set  down  at  $350,000. 

A  branch  of  this  business,  comparatively  new  but  of  growing  importance,  is 
the  manufacture  of  Gold  and  Silver  Instruments,  most  of  which  were  until  re- 
cently imported.  There  are  now  three  persons,  G.  P.  PILLING,  J.  S.  WARNER,  and 
JOSEPH  A.  FITZGERALD,  who  give  their  chief  attention  to  this,  and  make  such  arti- 
cles of  Silver  as  the  Instrument  makers  in  this  and  the  other  cities  of  the  Union 
may  require  for  their  cases.  One  of  these,  George  P.  Pilling,  employs  seven 
hands  principally  on  this  work. 


TIN,    ZINC,   AND    SHEET-IRON    WARE.  417 

In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned,  there  are  seven  or  eight  persons  who 
more  exclusively  make  Trusses,  Surgical  Bandages,  Supporters,  Splints,  and  other 
Instruments  for  surgical  maladies,  resulting  from  natural  causes,  disease  or  acci- 
dent, and  requiring  mechanical  appliances  for  their  relief  or  cure. 

Trustes,  are  articles  especially  in  demand,  and  have  undergone  endless  modifi- 
cation testing  the  ingenuity  of  many  makers.  Messrs.  HORN  A  ELLIS  are  the 
largest  wholesale  manufacturers  of  these.  Another  branch  of  the  business  we 
refer  to  with  pleasure,  inasmuch  as  the  articles,  which  were  formerly  wholly  im- 
ported, are  now  made  in  this  city  of  a  quality  even  superior  to  the  foreign.  We 
allude  to  the  Elastic  Stockings,  Belts.  Knee-Caps,  Anklets,  Armlets,  and  Suspen- 
sory articles  for  the  treatment  of  varicose  enlargement  of  the  veins,  dropsical 
swellings,  rheumatism,  and  the  support  of  weak  parts.  These  are  made  of  Vul- 
canized Indian  Rubber  Thread,  which  first  receives  a  covering  of  cotton  or  silk, 
and  is  then  woven  into  a  porous  and  elastic  fabric,  either  with  silk  or  cotton  of  the 
required  size  and  shape;  and  when  applied  to  the  parts  for  the  purpose  named, 
or  as  a  retaining  apparatus  over  spirits,  Ac.,  they  exert,  without  lacing,  a  gentle 
and  equable  pressure,  and  form  a  neat  and  convenient  application  pervious  to  air 
and  to  the  perspiration,  and  are  very  dnrable. 

Mr.  B.  C.  EVERETT,  of  the  Philadelphia  Surgical  Bandage  Institute,  14  North 
Ninth  street,  has  the  sale  of  these  for  the  manufacturer,  and  keeps  a  great  va- 
riety always  on  hand,  as  well  as  of  Trusses,  Shoulder  Braces,  Deformity  Instru- 
ments, and  every  thing  in  this  line,  in  which  he  has  had  long  experience. 

Dr.  M.  McCLENACHAN,  50  North  Seventh,  in  addition  to  Trusses,  and  other  arti- 
cles of  this  class,  manufactures  Improved  Spinal  Apparatus,  and  Abdominal  Sup- 
porters, Ac.  J.  LEANDER  BISHOP,  M.D. 

XVII. 

Tin,  Zinc,  and  Sheet-Iron  Ware. 

The  manufacture  of  articles  from  Tin,  Zinc,  and  Sheet  Iron,  is  suffi- 
ciently extensive  in  the  aggregate  to  be  called  a  leading  branch,  but 
the  subject  calls  for  no  particular  remark.  The  latest  Business  Direc- 
tory furnishes  a  list  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  Tin-workers  in 
Philadelphia ;  but  it  is  probable  there  are  two  hundred  places  in  the 
city  where  Tin-ware  is  made.  The  oldest  establishment  in  the  business 
is  that  of  ISAAC  S.  WILLIAMS,  on  Market  street,  founded  by  Samuel 
Williams  and  Thomas  •  Passmore,  in  1796.  This  house  is  exceed- 
ingly well  provided  with  facilities  for  executing  heavy  orders  expe- 
ditiously ;  and  has  furnished  with  Culinary  Utensils  some  of  the  first- 
class  hotels  in  New  York,  and  the  largest  steamboats  on  the  Western 
waters.  Mr.  Williams  is  said  to  be  the  most  extensive  manufacturer 
in  this  city  of  Planished-ware,  of  a  superior  quality.  This  ware 
is  made  by  repeated  hammering  of  the  ordinary  tin-plate  upon  highly- 
polished  steel  anvils  by  hammers,  also  highly  polished.  This  con- 
denses the  fibre  or  grain  of  the  tin,  and  renders  it  capable  of  a  high 

34 


418  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

polish,  and  at  the  same  time  improves  its  quality.  Planished-ware  is 
also  made  by  another  process,  more  analogous  to  rolling  or  burnishing, 
which  it  is  said,  renders  it  nearly  equal  in  appearance  to  the  former, 
and  somewhat  cheaper.  It  is  however  scarcely  so  durable. 

Within  a  few  years  a  great  revolution  has  been  effected  in  the  manu- 
facture of  Culinary  and  Miscellaneous  Tin-ware,  by  the  introduction 
of  machinery.  By  the  aid  of  Dies,  Presses,  Lathes,  and  other  contri- 
vances, the  separate  parts,  or  the  whole,  according  to  the  degree  of 
complexity  of  an  article,  are  at  once  struck  up  into  the  required  shape, 
plain  or  with  devices,  as  may  be  desired  ;  and  the  work  of  the  tinman 
is  reduced  to  the  simple  act  of  soldering  or  uniting  the  several  parts. 

There  are  establishments  in  this  city  where  the  tin-worker  may  thus 
purchase,  or  order,  in  any  desired  quantity,  in  sets,  the  component 
parts  of  nearly  every  article  in  his  line,  ready  shaped  to  his  hand. 
While  the  use  of  machinery  has  thus  taken  away  many  of  the  former 
characteristics  of  the  trade,  it  has  increased  its  amount,  and  greatly  ex- 
tended the  uses  to  which  Tin-ware  is  being  adapted.  Every  day  nearly 
introduces  some  new  article  into  the  market,  or  some  novel  form  in  which 
the  article  can  be  appropriated,  through  these  new  processes  of  manu- 
facture. Tin  Toys,  of  great  variety  and  neatness,  are  now  largely 
manufactured  here  in  this  way. 

Tin  is  also  employed  as  a  material  for  Roofing,  and  when  laid  in 
Paint  on  both  sides  it  is  regarded  by  many  as  a  superior  article  for  the 
purpose. 

The  consumption  of  Tin  for  Blacking-boxes  is  a  considerable  item. 
One  manufacturer  of  Blacking  consumes  1,170,000  sheets  of  Tin  per 
year.  The  manufacture  of  Essence  of  Coffee,  which  is  already  a  large 
and  growing  business  here,  calls  for  a  large  amount  of  small  Cans  for 
packing.  Druggists,  Grocers,  Spice  and  Mustard  Packers,  also  re- 
quire Tin  Cans,  Canisters,  &c.,  to  a  considerable  amount.  "  Self-seal- 
ing Cans  and  Jars"  are  made  very  extensively  by  the  well-known  firm 
of  ARTHUR,  BORNHAM  &  GILROY,  who  have  introduced  to  the  public  a 
number  of  patented  articles  of  great  utility.  The  popularity  of  their 
"  Old  Dominion  Coffee  Pot,"  which  is  said  to  be  superior  to  all  others 
for  making  Coffee,  adds  to  the  importance  of  Tin-working  as  a  pur- 
suit. But  the  various  uses  of  Tin  are  too  familiar  to  all  to  need  enu- 
meration. (See  APPENDIX.) 

Japanned  Ware  is  made  extensively  at  two  Tinware  establishments  in 
the  city ;  and  there  are  also  a  few  persons  who  conduct  this  branch 
separately,  some  of  whom  are  not  excelled  for  the  beauty  and  excel- 
lence of  their  work. 

Zinc  is  used  principally  for  the  lining  of  Refrigerators,  Filters,  Bath 


PLAYING    CARDS — VATS.  419 

Tubs,  Cisterns,  &c.,  and  for  Coating  Iron  by  the  Galvanic  process  to 
which  we  have  referred. 

The  working  of  Sheet  Iron  into  Stoves,  Stove  Pipe,  Coal  Scuttles, 
&c.,  occupies  many  persons  ;  like  Tin,  this  material  is  being  con- 
stantly put  to  new  uses,  and  many  articles  formerly  made  of  Wrought 
Iron  are  now  made  of  Sheet  Iron.  Hoes,  and  other  Garden  Tools,  and 
Hinges  of  various  kinds,  are  of  this  class. 

We  have  received  statements  from  a  number  of  persons  in  the  busi- 
ness as  to  the  aggregate  product,  and  they  rauge  from  one  million  to  one 
million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  We  state  it  at  $1,200,000. 

For  the  manufacture  of  Playing  Cards,  Messrs.  SAMUEL  HART  &  Co. 
have  an  extensive  factory  that  consumes  annually  200,000  Ibs.  of  print- 
ing paper,  which,  if  extended  in  one  continuous  sheet,  it  is  said  would 
reach  1,060  miles ;  1,550  Ibs.  of  colors,  600  gallons  of  boiled  linseed, 
and  other  oils ;  1,800  Ibs.  glue ;  1,450  Ibs.  soap  ;  and  200  bbls.  of  flour. 
Machinery  is  used,  which  performs  the  work  of  300  persons ;  con- 
sequently this  firm  is  able  to  conduct  their  large  business  with  but  fifty 
hands,  whose  aggregate  yearly  wages  are  $10,500.  They  produce 
15,000  to  20,000  packs  of  finished  Cards  every  week. 

Messrs.  GEOEGE  J.  BURKHAKDT  &  Co.  have  an  extensive  factory  at 
Broad  and  Buttonwood  streets,  for  building  Vats  for  Brewers,  Distil- 
lers, Tanners,  Sugar  Refiners,  &c. ;  Tanks  for  Water  Stations  on  Bail- 
roads  ;  and  Reservoirs  for  supplying  Bath-houses,  &c.,  for  Hotels  and 
Public  buildings ;  in  fact  every  description  of  similar  vessels,  whether 
the  capacity  required  be  200  or  20,000  gallons.  The  manufactory  is 
equipped  with  all  the  requisite  machinery  for  turning  out  such  work 
expeditiously,  and  steam  is  used  in  nearly  every  department.  The  mate- 
rial employed  by  Mr.  Burkhardt  is  White  Cedar,  which  he  says  "  expe- 
rience has  taught  to  be  the  most  durable,  and  in  comparison  with  any 
other  material  is  as  four  to  one ;  or  in  other  words,  Cedar  vessels  will 
last  from  thirty  to  forty  years,  while  Pine,  Hemlock,  Poplar,  or  Spruce 
will  decay  in  fcom  six  to  ten  years." 

Manufacturers  at  a  distance,  who  cannot  otherwise  conveniently 
procure  White  Cedar,  can,  by  sending  the  size  and  number  of  vessels 
required,  obtain  from  this  firm  the  material  dressed  to  shape,  and  ready 
for  setting  up. 

Besides  the  many  factories  already  noticed,  or  alluded  to  in  the  va- 
rious branches  of  manufactures,  there  are  many  others  which  want  of 
space  compels  us  to  pass  by  with  scarcely  an  allusion — the  manufacto- 
ries of  Hubs.  Spokes  and  Felloes,  Tatham  &  Brothers'  great  Lead  Pipe 


420 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Factory,  Spark's  Shot  Factory,  the  Starch  Factories,  Spain's  Churn 
Factory,  and  the  North  American  Paper  Bag  Company's  Manufactory  : 
Kochersperger's  Steam  Laundry,  in  which  $5,000  were  expended  for 
Pipes  alone  to  convey  heat  to  the  drying  room  ;  Daguerreotype  Case 
Manufactories ;  the  manufacturers  of  Mathematical  and  Optical  In- 
struments, and  numerous  others,  employed  in  making  the  various  arti- 
cles enumerated  in  the  INDEX.  A  volume  would  hardly  contain  all 
that  might  be  written  upon  the  Miscellaneous  Manufactures  of  Phila- 
delphia. In  by-ways  and  rooms  concealed  from  the  public  gaze,  there 
is  at  all  times  an  army  of  industrious  artisans  busily  engaged  in  trans- 
forming rude  materials  into  objects  of  utility,  or  productions  of  taste 
and  skill — "  Inventions  for  delight,  and  sight  and  sound" — and  aiming 
by  superior  dexterity  in  their  handicraft  operations  to  compensate  for 
the  lack  of  machinery  and  business  facilities. 

We  now  proceed  to  recapitulate,  with  some  detail,  the  results  of 
our  investigations,  with  respect  to  the  value  of  the  articles  annually  man- 
ufactured in  Philadelphia.  They  are  given  as  our  own  conclusions,  after 
laborious  and  careful  examination,  based  partly  on  information  fur- 
nished by  manufacturers  as  to  their  own  business ;  partly  from  a  mean 
of  estimates  of  those  having  some  knowledge  as  to  the  business  of  in- 
dividual manufacturers  in  the  several  branches  ;  and  partly  upon  calcu- 
lations founded  upon  a  knowledge  of  the  number  of  hands  employed 
in  an  establishment,  and  the  average  production  per  hand.  Errors 
doubtless  there  are,  but  the  aggregate  generally  will  be  found  approxi- 
mately accurate  ;  certainly  far  more  correct  than  any  Census  that  ever 
has  been,  or  probably  ever  will  be  taken. 


Aggregate  Value  of  Articles  produced  in  Philadelphia,  for  the  year 
ending  June  30th,  1857. 


Agricultural  Implements,  Seeds,  &c., 

(estimated) $500,000 

Alcohol,   Burning  Fluid,  and  Cam- 

phene 1,022,140 

Ale,  Porter,  and  Brown  Stout 1.020,000 

Artificial  Flowers ...85,000 

Awnings,  Bags,  &c 91,750 

Assaying  and  Refining  Precious  Met- 
als, including  actual  expenses  of 

U.  S.  Mint,  $130,000 850,000 

Barrels,  Casks,  Shocks,  and  Vats 715,000 

Beer,  Lager  and  Small 1,280,000 

Blacking,  Ink,  and  Lampblack,  (es- 
timated)  500,000 

Bolts,  Nuts,  Screws,  &c 411,000 

Book  and  Periodical  Publishing,  ex- 
clusive of  Paper,  Printing,  Bind- 
ing, &c 818,000 

Book  Binding,    Blank   Books,    and 

Marble  Paper 1,230,000 

Boots  and  Shoes 4,141,000 

Boxes,  Packing,  (estimated) 500,000 

Brass  Articles 830,000 


Bread,  Bakers,  (including  Crackers,) 

Ship  Bread,  &c $5,600,000 

Bricks,  Common  and  Pressed 8.12,000 

Britannia  and  Plated  Wares 380,000 

Brooms,  Corn  and  other 104,000 

Brushes 225,000 

Candles,  Adamantine  &  Oleine  Oils.. ..570,000 

Caps 400,000 

Cards,  Playing 118,000 

Carpeting,  Ingrain 2,592,000 

Carpeting,.  Bag 604,000 

Carriages  and  Coaches 900,000 

Cars  and  Car  Wheels 550,000 

Chemicals,  Dye-Stuff's,  Chrome  Col- 
ors, and  Extracts 3,335,000 

Clothing 9,640,000 

Coffins,  Ready-made 219,000 

Combs 150,000 

Confectionery,  &c 1,020,000 

Copper  Work 400,000 

Cordials,  Bay  Water,  &c 200,000 

Cotton  and  Woolen  Goods,  exclusive 
of  Hosiery,  Carpetings,  &c 14,813,968 


RECAPITULATION. 


421 


Cordage,  Twines,  &c $810,000  !  Provisions  —  Cured    Meats,    Packed 

Cutlery,  Skates,  &c 150,000  I      Beef,  &c $4,000,000 


Daguerreotypes,  Cases,  and  Mate- 
rials, (estimated) 600,000 

Edge  Tools,  Hammers,  &c 127,000 

Earthenware,  Fire-Bricks,  &c 617,000 

Engines,  Locomotive,  Stationary  and 

Fire 3,428,000 

Engraving  and  Lithography 570,000 

Envelopes  and  Fancy  Stationery 150,000 

Flooring  and  Planed  Lumber 370,000 

Flour 3,200,000 

Fertilizers .503,000 

Fringes,  Tassels,  and  Narrow  Textile 

Fabrics „ 1,288,000 

Furniture,  (estimated) 2,500,000 

Fnrs 350,000 

Gloves,  Buckskin  and  Kid 150,000 

Glue,  Curled  Hair,  &c 775,000 

Gold  Leaf  and  Foil 325,000 

Glassware 1,600,000 

Hardware,   and  Iron    Manufactures 

not  otherwise  enumerated 1,169,000 

Bats,  Silk  and  Soft 800,000 

Hose,  Belting,  &c 175,000 

Hosiery 1,808,150 

Hollow-ware,  exclus'e  of  Stoves,  &e..l,250,000 

Iron,  Bar,  Sheet,  and  Forged 1,517,650 

Jewelry,  and  Manufactures  of  Gold..l,275,000 
Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and   Gas  Fix- 
tures  1,300,000 

Lasts  and  Boot  Trees 36,000 

Lead  Pipe,  Sheet  Lead,  Shot,  &c 235,000 

Leather,  exclusive  of  Morocco 1,610,000 

Machinery 1,912,000 

Machine  Tools 350,000 

Mahogany  and  Sawed  Lumber. 580,000 

Maps  and  Charts _ 400,000 

Marble  Work 860,000 

Mantillas  and  Corsets 330,000 

Matches,  Friction 125,000 

Medicines,  Patent  and  Prepared  Re- 
medies  1,300,000 

Millinery  Goods,  Including  Bonnet 
Frames,  Wire,  &c.,  but  excluding 
Straw  Goods  k  Artificial  Flowers. ..360,000 

Mouldings,  &c 300,000 

Morocco  and  Fancy  Leather 1,156,250 

Musical  Instruments 485,000 

Mineral  Waters 350,000 

Newspapers,  Daily  and  Weekly,  (es- 
timated;  1,370,000 

Oil  Cloths 289,000 

Oils,  Linseed,  Lard  and  Tallow,  Bo- 
sin,  and  R.  R.  Greases 2,131,230 

Paints,  Zinc,  and  Products  of  Paint 

Mills 770,000 

Paper 1,250,000 

Paper  Hangings 800,000 

Paper  Boxes 175,000 

Patterns,  Stove  and  Machinery 115,000 

Perfumery  and  Fancy  Soaps 850,000 

Picture  and  Lookiiig-Glass  Frames, 

(estimated) 750,000 

Preserved  Fruits,  &c.,  (estimated) ,a50,000 

Printing,  Book  and  Job 1,183,000 

Printing  Inks 160,000 


Rifles  and  Pistols 120,00« 

Saddles,  Harness,  Ac 1,500,000 

Safes 160,000 

Sails la^OOC 

Sash,  Blinds,  Doors,  &c 250,000 

Saws 510,000 

Scales  and  Balances 145,000 

Shirts,  Collars,  Bosoms,  and  Gentle- 
men's Furnishing  Goods 1,187,500 

Shovels,  Spades,  Hoes,  &c 397,006 

Show  Cases 55,000 

Sewing  Silks 312.00C 

Silver-ware 450,000 

Soap  and  Candles,  exclusive  of  Ada- 
mantine Candles 1,487,600 

Springs,  Rail-road  and  Coach 238,000 

Spices,  Condiments,  Essence  of  Cof- 
fee, &c.,  &c 350,000 


Starch... 


155,000 


Steel,  Spring  and  Cast 283,500 

Stoves  and  Grates 1,250,000 

Sand-stone,  Granite,  Slate,  &c 300,000 

Straw  Goods,  including  Hats 600,000 

Surgical   and    Dental    Instruments, 

Trusses,  and  Artificial  Limbs 350,000 

Sugar,  Refined,  and  Molasses 6,500,000 

Teeth,  Porcelain 500,000 

Tin,  Zinc,  and  Sheet-Iron  Ware 1,200,000 

Tobacco  Manufactures,  Cigars,  Snuff, 

&c 3,256,500 

Trunks  and  Portmanteaus 313,000 

Turnings  in  Wood 550,000 

Type  and  Stereotype 650,000 

Umbrellas  and  Parasols,  including 
Umbrella  Furniture,  Ivory  &  Bone 

Turning,  Whalebone  Cutting 1,750,000 

Upholstery,  (estimated) 500,000 

Varnishes 230,000 

Vessels,  Masts  and  Spars,  Blocks  and 

Pumps,  &c 1,760,000 

Vinegar  and  Cider 300,000 

Wagons,  Carte,  and  Drays 815,000 

Watch  Cases 942,000 

Whips 175,000 

Whisky,  Distilled 630,000 

"       Rectified 2,524,500 

White  Lead 960,000 

Willow-ware,  Baskets,  &c.,  (estm'd)..120,000 

Wire-work,  (estimated,) 250,000 

Wooden  and  Cedar-ware 150,000 

Works  in  Wood  not  otherwise  enu- 
merated  100,000 

Miscellaneous  Articles,  not  other- 
wise enumerated.  For  particulars 
see  IMDEX,  (.estimated) 3,000,00.' 

Total  Annual  Product  of  Manu- 
facturing Industry  in  Phila- 
delphia  145,348,738 

Add  for  Leading  Branches  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  as 
before  given 26,500,000 

Total  for  Philadelphia  and  vicin- 
ity   8171,848,738 


According  to  the  Census  of  1850,  the  average  productive  power  of 
each  person  employed  in  Manufactures   in  Philadelphia,  was  about 
$1,100  per  annum,  a  rate  confirmed  by  our  own  investigations :  and 
34* 


422  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

the  capital  invested  was  about  one  half  the  aggregate  of  production 
Assuming  that  these  relative  proportions  were  correct,  though  the 
aggregate  amounts  were  manifestly  erroneous,  and  assuming  they  are 
applicable  now,  the  respective  items  would  stand  as  follows  :  Capital 
invested  in  Manufactures  in  Philadelphia,  $72,500,000;  Hands  em- 
ployed, 132,000 ;  Product,  $145,348,738. 

In  view  of  this  result — a  result  as  unexpected  by  the 
Author  as  it  probably  will  be  surprising  to  the  reader — 
a  result  perhaps  understated  but  not  overstated,  and  of 
which  the  constituents  are  given  with  sufficient  particular- 
ity to  enable  any  one  of  ordinary  intelligence  to  test  its  ac- 
curacy by  personal  investigation,  with  the  aid  of  a  com- 
plete Business  Directory :  in  view  of  this  result  then,  we 
ask,  do  not  the  facts  demonstrate  the  original  proposition 
and  assertion,  that  Philadelphia  is  already  a  great  manu- 
facturing city — most  probably  the  greatest  in  the  Union  ? 
The  value  of  the  mechanical  and  manufacturing  indus- 
try of  the  entire  State  of  Massachusetts,  in  1855,  includ- 
ing Gas,  an  important  item,  but  which  we  have  not 
reckoned,  was  about  two  hundred  and  forty  millions  of 
dollars ;  we  therefore  may  confidently  say,  that  no  other 
single  city — not  even  Boston,  including  Lowell,  and  one 
half  the  State  of  Massachusetts, — sums  up  so  large  a  pro- 
duction of  indispensable  goods  as  are  annually  produced 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  We  may  say,  moreover,  that 
we  are  convinced,  as  the  result  of  extended  inquiry 
and  many  opportunities  for  comparative  examination,  that 
the  goods  made  in  Philadelphia  are  generally  superior 
to  the  average  quality  of  American  fabrics.  One  reason 
for  this  superiority  is,  that  the  operations  are  mostly  con- 
ducted in  small  factories,  under  the  direct  personal  su- 
pervision of  the  owner,  or  in  shops  often  illy  provided 
with  machinery  for  rapid  production  ;  and  consequently, 
the  fabricator  must  give  close  attention  to  the  selection  of 
material  and  character  of  the  workmanship,  and  master 
competition  by  the  durability  and  intrinsic  excellence  of 


CONCLUSION.  428 

his  fabrics.  "We  hold  it  to  be  eminently  safe  for  any  consu- 
mer or  merchant  to  infer  that  Philadelphia-made  goods,  at 
the  same  price,  are  invariably  the  cheapest.  Many  other 
considerations  are  suggested  by  the  facts  which  we  have 
collected,  and  partially  submitted,  and  to  which  we  would 
gladly  invite  attention,  did  space  and  circumstances 
admit  We  would  especially  entreat  the  merchants  of 
this  city  to  co-operate  with  the  manufacturers,  as  they 
have  already  commenced  to  do  by  the  reorganization  of 
the  Board  of  Trade ;  and  by  the  aid  of  their  patronage 
and  influence,  give  hope,  and  sustenance,  and  vigor  to  the 
individual  producers,  who  are  doing  so  much  to  advance 
the  industrial  reputation  and  development  of  Philadel- 
phia, though  with  comparatively  little  profit  to  them- 
selves— and  who,  if  suitably  encouraged,  would  render 
Philadelphia,  industrially,  the  Paris  of  America.  Sec- 
ondly, we  would  appeal  to  the  common  sense  of  Southern 
and  Western  merchants,  whether  the  cheapest  market  is 
not  necessarily  that  which  possesses  and  combines  exten- 
sive production  of  its  own,  widely-extended  commercial  re- 
lations with  other  manufacturing  centres,  and  superior  fa- 
cilities for  cheap  transportation.  Also,  we  would  be  glad 
to  assure  the  foreign  artisan,  trained  to  produce  habitu- 
ally "  Olympian-like  miracles  of  Art,"  of  a  warm  wel- 
come on  the  part  of  the  intelligent  citizens  of  this  me- 
tropolis; and  especially  would  we  desire  to  invite  the 
ingenious  men  of  New  England  to  turn  their  attention 
hitherward,  where  the  raw  materials  are  cheap  and 
abundant,  and  where  the  opportunities  for  achieving 
grand  results  by  the  introduction  of  improved  facilities, 
and  superior,  spirited,  energetic,  business  tactics,  are 
illimitable.  Moreover,  we  would  appeal  to  the  Legisla- 
tors of  Pennsylvania  to  regard  the  inhabitants  of  this 
metropolis  no  longer  as  drones,  and  ulcers  upon  the  body 
politic;  but  as  coworkers  with  the  agriculturalists  in 


424  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

subjugating  material  forces  for  useful  purposes — to 
look  upon  the  city  as  an  ornament  to  the  State,  and  to 
remove  all  disabilities  now  in  the  way  of  any  form  of 
business  organization  which  experience  has  demon- 
strated tends  to  encourage  capital  to  co-operate  with 
industry;  and  especially  to  consider  the  expediency  of 
sanctioning  and  facilitating  corporate  investment  in  in- 
dustrial enterprises  with  limited  individual  liability.  We 
would  assure  capitalists,  that  there  are  opportunities  for 
the  safe  and  profitable  investment  of  many  millions  of 
dollars  in  productive  industry;  and  that  the  erection  of  a 
few  model  mammoth  manufactories,  and  a  liberal  expen- 
diture in  order  to  invite  the  attention  of  the  world  to 
the  manufacturing  advantages  of  the  city,  would  repay 
richly  by  accelerating  the  development  of  enterprise,  and 
promoting  trade  and  commerce.  We  would  entreat 
manufacturers  in  all  places  throughout  this  country  to 
banish  jealousies,  and  co-operate  with  each  other,  remem- 
bering that  the  demand  for  manufactured  commodities 
of  an  immense  and  daily  increasing  population,  in  the 
Western  as  well  as  the  Atlantic  States,  and  the  opening 
markets  in  the  Canadas,  in  the  South  American  Repub- 
lics and  elsewhere,  cannot  fail  to  be  greater  than  the 
industry  of  all  can  supply.  We  would  earnestly  invoke 
the  citizens  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Philadelphia  in  par- 
ticular, to  send  Representatives  to  their  State  and  Na- 
tional Legislatures  who  will  truly  represent  their  material 
interests  and  intellectual  progress ;  but  all  these  consid- 
erations, invitations,  supplications,  and  invocations,  we 
must  leave  to  the  Press,  the  guardians  of  the  city  inter- 
ests, and  others  far  abler  than  ourselves.  We  conclude  by 
adopting  the  graphic  language  of  the  Secretary  (now  Presi- 
dent) of  the  Corn  Association,  whose  prophetic  vision  saw 
what  we  hope  we  have  demonstrated : — "  Our  Stearn  En- 
gines are  plying  their  iron  arms  in  every  street  In  every 


CONCLUSION.  425 

by-way  is  heard  the  sound  of  the  shuttle  and  the  clink  of 
the  hammer,  as  the  artisan  contributes  his  mite  to  the  vast 
sum  of  toil ;  whilst  many  a  stately  edifice,  with  its  hun- 
dreds of  employees  and  clanging  machinery,  sends  forth 
a  stirring  music  to  quicken  the  pulse  of  our  city  life. 
Why  then  shall  we  not  spread  beyond  our  borders  the 
knowledge,  that  in  this  busy  hive  is  being  made  almost 
every  article  that  can  contribute  to  the  wants  or  luxury  of 
man  ?  This  is  the  great  Mart  of  American  Manufactures, 
unequaled  on  this  Continent  in  the  extent  and  variety  of  its 
products.  As  such,  let  it  be  proclaimed!" 


APPENDIX. 


REMARKABLE  MANUFACTURING  ESTABLISHMENTS  IN 
PHILADELPHIA, 


I. 

Alfred  Jenks  &  Son's  Machine  Works,  Briclesburg-. 

THESE  works,  of  which  we  have  already  given  the  incidents  connected 
with  their  establishment  and  early  history,  as  well  as  a  cut  of  their  ex- 
terior, are  located  at  Bridesburg,  a  flourishing  town  now  constituting 
a  part  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  They  are  built  in  the  form  of  a  hol- 
low square,  cover  an  area  of  160,000  square  feet,  and  consist  of  a  Foun- 
dry 130  by  50  feet  (for  interior  view  see  opposite  page),  in  which  about 
thirty  men  are  constantly  employed;  a  Blacksmith  Shop,  120  by  50  feet, 
having  eighteen  forges  and  four  trip-hammers,  for  making,  in  addition 
to  other  things,  Bolts — of  which  seven  hundred  are  made  and  used  in  the 
machinery  work  daily  ;  a  building,  190  by  32  feet,  containing  an  apart- 
ment used  as  a  Brass  Foundry,  and  also  for  "  cleaning"  the  castings  after 
they  have  been  subjected  to  the  process  of  "  pickling,"  and  a  well- 
adapted  room  for  storing  patterns  when  not  in  use.  The  Machine  Shop 
is  a  building  225  by  38  feet,  upon  the  first  floor  of  which  Cards  are 
built,  and  Mill  Gearing,  Shafting,  &c.,  constructed ;  upon  the  second 
floor,  Spinning  and  Drawing  Frames,  and  Speeders  are  made  ;  and  the 
third  floor  is  devoted  to  making  Looms.  A  capacious  Elevator  is  em- 
ployed for  raising  and  lowering  castings  and  other  objects  between  the 
different  stories  of  the  machine  shop ;  and  a  Railway  connects  this  and 
the  foundry.  The  Carpenter  Shop  is  a  building  168  by  30  feet,  three 
stories  high  ;  and  each  of  the  various  rooms  and  departments  is  supplied 
with  tools  and  machinery  of  the  most  perfect  construction,  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  they  are  designed.  In  the  Wood- 
working Room  are  two  of  Daniel's  Planing  Machines,  one  of  Wood- 
worth's,  and  Moulding  and  Sawing  Machines  capable  of  facilitating  and 
making  more  perfect  the  wood-work  required  for  the  Carding  Engines, 
Looms,  &c.  All  the  wood  used  is  kept  for  the  space  of  two  years  before 
being  shaped  by  the  machinery,  so  as  to  properly  season  it ;  and  after 

(427) 


428  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

it  has  been  thus  seasoned  and  brought  to  the  form  desired,  it  is  placed 
in  a  commodious  Drying-house,  which  has  been  recently  erected,  entirely 
fire-proof,  and  always  kept  by  the  heat  of  steam  at  a  temperature  of 
seventy-five  degrees,  for  the  purpose  of  being  still  more  thoroughly  sea- 
soned. The  Tools  and  Machinery  for  performing  the  work  in  the  sev- 
eral shops  are  mostly  made  by  their  own  workmen  ;  among  which  may 
be  classed  several  Drills  of  new  and  improved  construction,  Boring  Mills, 
and  other  self-acting  machines,  of  the  most  beautiful  design  and  per- 
fect workmanship. 

Since  the  decease  of  Mr.  Alfred  Jenks,  and,  in  fact,  for  twelve  years 
previous  to  his  decease,  the  entire  business  has  been  conducted  by  Mr. 
BARTON  H.  JENKS,  who  was  thoroughly  educated  and  fitted  by  his  father 
for  the  important  and  responsible  trust  he  now  fills,  for  which  he  has 
peculiar  qualifications  by  his  genius  for  invention,  his  skill  in  mechan- 
ism, and  an  administrative  capacity  evidenced  in  all  departments  of  the 
establishment.  The  family  has  been  distinguished  in  the  fabrication 
of  iron  for  nearly  two  centuries,  Mr.  Jenks  being  a  lineal  descendant 
of  the  Hon.  Joseph  Jenks,  Governor  of  Rhode  Island,  who,  a  forgeman 
by  profession,  built,  in  the  seventeenth  century,  a  forge  which  was  de- 
stroyed during  King  Philip's  war.  Since  early  boyhood,  Mr.  Barton 
II.  Jenks  has  been  engaged  in  experimenting,  with  a  view  to  improve 
various  portions  of  machinery  employed  in  Woolen  and  Cotton  manu- 
facture, on  which  the  skill  and  genius  of  his  father  had  been  impressed ; 
and  there  is  now  scarcely  a  portion  of  machinery  in  the  manifold  variety 
of  parts  employed  in  the  respective  stages  of  Cotton  and  Woolen  manu- 
facture, from  the  machines  which  first  operate  on  the  cotton  and  wool 
through  the  series  which  they  have  to  successively  pass  in  their  progress 
to  completion  for  the  market,  that  has  not  been  improved  by  the  mem- 
bers of  this  firm,  both  in  the  superior  finish  and  more  substantial  and 
convenient  construction  of  the  respective  parts,  and  in  the  novel  arrange- 
ment and  combination  of  parts,  or  additions  involving  valuable  inven- 
tions, which  render  the  operations  more  perfect,  and,  in  many  cases,  the 
production  of  heretofore  unaccomplished,  new,  and  beneficial  results.  The 
Drawing  Frames  and  Ring  Spinning  Frames  or  Throstles  of  the  Messrs. 
Jenks,  for  performing  the  respective  operations  in  cotton  manufacture 
which  their  names  indicate,  are  peculiarly  of  the  class  spoken  of;  for, 
while  the  workmanship  and  mechanical  skill  are  of  the  highest  degree  of 
excellence,  they  embrace  important  features  of  invention,  which  enable 
them  to  produce  better  work  than  those  ordinarily  used.  The  latter, 
particularly,  which  is  known  favorably  among  cotton  manufacturers  as 
Alfred  Jenks'  Ring  Spindle  or  Ring  Frame,  has,  in  a  great  number  of 
cases,  taken  the  place  of  the  live  and  dead  spindles,  on  account  of  its 


JENKS'    COTTON    AND    WOOLEN    MACHINERY.  429 

superiority  in  the  quality  and  quantity  of  yarn  it  produces.  The  spin- 
dle of  this  improved  frame  has  no  fly,  and  has  a  small  steel  ring,  called 
a  traveler,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  with  a  slit  for  the 
insertion  of  the  thread,  which  is  wound  by  the  ring  traveling  around  the 
bobbin,  being  held  in  its  horizontal  plane,  during  its  circuit,  by  an  iron 
ring  loosely  embraced  by  its  lower  end  and  fastened  upon  the  traversing 
rail ;  being  sufficiently  large  to  allow  the  head  of  the  bobbin,  as  well  as 
the  traveler,  to  pass  through  without  touching.  This  plan  of  spindle 
may  be  driven  8,000  revolutions  per  minute  with  perfect  security  when 
spinning  coarse  yarn  ;  and  when  producing  the  finer  numbers,  10,000 
revolutions  per  minute  is  not  an  extraordinary  speed  for  it  to  attain ; 
the  yarn  produced  in  either  case  being  superior  in  strength  and  char- 
acter to  the  yarn  produced  by  the  other  throstles  at  a  greatly  reduced 
speed.  In  the  construction  and  arrangement  of  the  several  parts  of  the 
power-loom,  whether  in  the  simplest  form  for  weaving  plain  goods,  or 
the  enlarged  and  complex  state  produced  by  this  firm,  for  weaving  the 
most  beautiful  and  elaborate  patterns  of  fancy  cassimeres,  the  charac- 
teristics above  mentioned  are  manifest  in  a  remarkable  degree ;  and 
hence  the  vast  number  of  the  Messrs.  Jenks'  Looms  in  operation,  and 
the  continued  demand  for  them  over  all  parts  of  the  country,  where  the 
benefits  derived  from  such  advantages  as  the  improved  shuttle-box  move- 
ment for  changing  the  picks  of  weft,  shuttle-stopper,  parallel  pick-mo- 
tion, and  a  vast  number  of  improved  attachments  embodied  in  the 
Looms  of  their  make,  are  experienced  and  appreciated  by  manufactu- 
rers. In  the  Keystone  Loom,  made  by  this  firm,  by  using  a  different 
shuttle  from  the  ordinary  one,  silk  goods  may  be  woven  with  as  much 
facility  as  cotton  or  wool ;  and  a  Jacquard  motion,  if  desired,  may  be 
easily  attached.  It  is  forty  inches  wide,  and  has  four  shuttle-drop  boxes 
at  one  end  of  the  lay,  and  an  improved  pattern-wheel  for  controling  the 
boxes,  which  will  run  1,200  picks  before  it  ends,  and  can  be  extended 
to  a  greater  capacity.  Within  the  last  few  years,  Mr.  Jenks  has  brought 
out  a  number  of  very  important  machines,  to  two  or  three  of  which 
we  invite  particular  attention. 

1.     THE    SELF-STRIPPING    COTTON    CARD. 

This  is  an  important  addition  to  the  usual  cotton-carding  machines. 
It  is  applied  just  below  the  "  licker-in,"  in  contact  with  the  main  cylin- 
der, and  driven  by  a  stripper-head,  at  the  end  of  the  cards,  at  a  variable 
sneod,  so  as  to  take  both  the  dirt  and  the  uncarded  cotton  off  the  cylin- 
der, and  then  to  deliver  the  cotton  back  again  to  the  cylinder,  whilst  the 
dirt  falls  into  a  box  which  is  placed  back  of  the  "  licker-in"  and  feed- 
rollers  for  the  purpose  ;  consequently,  it  keeps  both  the  cylinder  and  the 
35 


430  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

cotton  perfectly  clean,  (which  are  certainly  two  very  desirable  results) 
and  but  seldom  requires  hand-stripping.  An  arrangement  of  rollers 
is  placed  at  the  doffer  to  deliver  the  cotton,  instead  of  the  old  mode  of 
a  comb,  thereby  gaining  a  greater  speed  in  the  card,  and  not  injuring 
the  carding  as  the  comb  does.  This  Card  will  produce  150  pounds  per 
day. 

2.     THE    IMPROVED    COTTON    GIN; 


This  ingeniously  improved  and  valuable  machine  for  ginning  cotton 
is  what  is  called  a  "Cylinder  Gin."  The  cylinder  is  constructed  in  a 
very  peculiar  manner,  and  operates  in  combination  with  a  stationary 
straight-edge  and  a  spirally-grooved  roller  called  "the  agitator."  The 
straight  edge  is  fixed  in  a  position  parallel  with,  and  tangential  to  the 
cylinder,  with  its  thinner  edge  almost  in  contact  with  the  upper  side  of 
the  same,  and  the  agitator  so  as  to  rotate  rapidly  at  a  short  distance 
above  and  parallel  with  the  straight-edge.  The  periphery  of  the  cylin- 
der consists  of  numerous  steel-wire  teeth  imbedded  in  Babbitt  metal,  in 
positions  inclined  in  the  direction  of  the  cylinder's  motion,  so  that  after 
the  cylinder  is  "  ground  "  or  finished,  each  tooth  presents  a  separate, 
sharp,  and  smooth  point,  tangential  to  the  cylinder  surface.  When  in 
operation,  the  cotton  and  seeds  are  together  carried  by  the  cylinder 
against  the  straight-edge,  where  they  are  rolled  over  and  over  by  the  agi- 
tator, until  the  teeth  of  the  cylinder  have  stripped  off  the  fibre,  when 
the  seeds  immediately  drop  down,  through  a  grating,  into  a  receiving 


JENKS'    COTTON    AND   WOOLEN    MACHINERY.  431 

box.  The  fibre  is  at  the  same  time  being  continually  removed  from  the 
cylinder  in  the  usual  manner,  by  a  rotating  brush  behind  the  straight- 
edge. The  teeth  of  the  cylinder  are  made  of  i\\Q  finest  steel  needle  wire, 
rolled  into  a  double  razor-edge  section,  and  secured  obliquely  around 
the  cylinder,  with  their  sharper  edges  in  directions  transverse  to  the 
axis  of  the  same;  consequently,  after  the  cylinder  is  "ground  off"  in 
finishing,  it  presents  a  serrulated  surface,  or  a  surface  studded  over 
with  innumerable  sharp  and  smooth  tangential  teeth,  admirably  adapted 
both  for  entering  and  leaving  the  fibres. 

It  will  gin  any  cotton,  however  trashy  it  may  be,  and  take  nothing 
through  but  the  lint ;  it  neither  cuts  nor  naps  the  fibres  in  the  least, 
leaving  them  nearly  as  long  as  when  separated  by  hand ;  whilst  it  will 
clean  as  great  a  quantity  in  the  same  time  as  any  other  gin  occupying 
the  same  extent  of  space,  and  run  as  easy.  It  will  also  last  as  long,  if 
not  longer,  than  the  saw-gin,  and  cost  no  more  for  repairs. 

3.    JENKS'  COTTON    SPREADER. 

This  machine,  a  cut  of  which  is  given  on  the  opposite  page,  is  well 
worthy  of  attentive  examination  by  those  who  are  interested  in  its  mer- 
its, for  it  undoubtedly  possesses  superior  excellence.  It  is  made  entirely 
of  metal,  thus  insuring  greater  steadiness  and  durability.  The  beater, 
shafts,  blades,  and  feed-rollers,  are  made  of  cast-steel ;  the  shafts  which 
drive  the  feed  are  braced  together  in  such  a  manner  that  the  teeth 
in  the  diagonal  shaft  cannot  break ;  and,  by  an  ingenious  application 
of  the  elastic  principle  of  air,  the  machine  is  constructed  to  make  the 
lap  of  uniform  thickness,  and  of  such  compactness  that  any  portion  of 
it  will  sustain  its  own  weight ;  and,  moreover,  the  whole  machine  works 
without  producing  any  dust  in  the  room.  (SEE  CUT.) 

0 

To  describe  all  the  novel  and  important  machines  that  have  been 
constructed  at  these  Works  would  require  a  volume  ;  and  even  a  recital 
of  the  improvements  made  by  this  firm  in  Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery 
and  patented  in  this  and  other  countries,  would  transcend  our  limits. 
Such  a  recital  would  include  machines  for  making  spools,  for  rifling 
musket  barrels,  for  cleansing,  laying,  and  preparing  wool,  and  for  an 
infinite  variety  of  purposes.  No  pains  or  expense  is  spared  by  Mr. 
Jenks  to  bring  to  perfection,  and  develope  into  practical  use,  whatever 
is  likely  to  be  useful  and  beneficial  to  his  patrons  ;  and  we  have  been 
repeatedly  assured,  by  manufacturers  of  cotton  and  woolen  goods,  that 
no  firm  in  the  entire  Union  is  more  zealous  in  regarding  the  interests 
of  their  customers,  more  liberal  in  making  experiments,  or  more  entitled 
to  general  confidence  and  patronage. 


432  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

Messrs.  Alfred  Jenks  &  Son  employ  in  their  works,  at  Bridesburg, 
when  in  full  operation,  about  four  hundred  men,  many  of  whom  have 
been  with  them  over  thirty  years — a  fact  which  speaks  volumes  for  both 
employer  and  employee.  They  have  prepared  a  Catalogue  of  their  ma- 
chinery ;  and  also  separate  drawings,  of  a  size  convenient  for  enclosing 
in  letters,  which  they  forward  to  persons  desirous  of  dealing  with  them. 
Each  machine  is  numbered,  and  accompanied  by  a  full  description — a 
convenience  of  much  advantage  to  manufacturers,  and  duly  appreciated 
by  them. 

II. 
The  Port  Richmond  Iron  Works.— I.  P.  Morris  &  Co.,  Proprietors. 

In  the  article  on  "  Iron  and  its  Manufactures,"  we  demonstrated  the 
ability  of  Philadelphia  to  do  the  heaviest  Engineering  work,  by  refer- 
ence to  some  of  the  extraordinary  machines  which,  from  time  to  time, 
have  been  constructed  at  the  various  leading  establishments  in  the  city ; 
among  others,  at  the  Port  Richmond  Iron  Works.  These  Works,  which 
rank  among  the  largest  and  best  equipped  of  the  kind  in  the  entire 
Union,  were  founded  in  1828,  by  Levi  Morris  &  Co.,  at  the  corner  of 
Market  and  Schuylkill  Seventh  streets.  The  first  engine  constructed  was 
a  Vertical  Lever-beam  Engine,  10  inch  cylinder,  2 £  feet  stroke,  built  for 
John  Barclay,  Vine-street  Wharf,  Delaware,  for  a  flour  mill,  and  is 
still  in  existence  at  Wainwright's  saw-mill,  Kensington.  At  that 
time,  there  was  not  in  the  Works  a  single  slide-lathe  or  power  drill- 
press,  and  planing-machines  were  not  known  ;  the  only  representative 
of  this  tool,  it  is  believed,  was  to  be  found  at  the  Allaire  Works  in 
New  York,  built  for  fluting  rollers.  The  original  of  the  present  plan- 
ing-machine  was  imported  from  England,  and  purchased  by  the  West 
Point  Foundry  Association,  for  their  Works  in  West  street,  New  York. 
Patterns  for  a  similar  machine  were  made  after  this  model,  and  several 
sets  of  eastings  made.  One  of  these,  purchased  for  the  Richmond 
Works,  was  fitted  up  here,  and  started  about  1836.  In  the  Foundry 
department  the  operations  were  also  conducted  with  very  imperfect  and 
inefficient  machinery  compared  with  that  now  in  use.  Anthracite  coal, 
which  was  introduced  here  about  1820,  was  by  no  means  exclusively 
used  for  melting  Iron.  The  Blowing  Machinery  was  of  a  very  primi- 
tive character  ;  with  unwieldy  wooden  bellows  and  open  tuyeres.  The 
best  product  was  not  more  than  2,000  to  3,000  pounds  of  Iron  in  an 
hour,  and  in  the  course  of  the  heat  an  average  much  below  this.  With 
the  present  improved  Blowing  Machinery,  and  improved  furnaces,  eight 
tons  have  been  melted  in  forty-six  minutes,  with  a  consumption  of  coal 
of  one  pound  to  eight  pounds  of  Iron  melted. 


I.    P.    MORRIS    A    CO.'S   WORKS.  433 

The  present  location  of  these  works,  to  which  they  were  removed  in 
1846,  is  on  the  Delaware  River,  adjoining  the  Reading  Rail-road  Coal 
Wharves  on  the  south.     The  buildings,  which  are  of  brick,  occupy  a  lot 
having  a  front  on  the  Delaware  River  of  145  feet,  a  front  on  Richmond 
street  or  Point  Road,  of  260  feet,  and  an  entire  depth  or  length,  from  the 
Richmond  side  to  the  end  of  wharf,  of  1,050  feet.     The  remarkable  fea- 
ture in  this  establishment  is  the  extraordinary  size  of  the  tools  in  use, 
and  the  perfection  of  the  machines  employed  in  the  various  shops.     In 
the  Foundry  there  are  three  Cupola  Furnaces,  the  largest  of  which  will 
melt  twelve  tons  of  Iron  per  hour  ;  and  a  large-size  Air  Furnace  of  the 
best  description.     In  the  Machine  Shop  there  is  a  Planing  Machine  ca- 
pable of  planing  castings  8  feet  wide,  6  feet  high,  and  32  feet  long ;  a 
Lathe  that  will  swing  6  feet  clear,  and  turn  a  length  of  34  feet ;  and  a 
Boring  Mill,  possessing  also  the  qualities  of  a  horizontal  lathe,  which 
will  bore  out  a  cylinder  16  feet  in  diameter  and  18  feet  long.      This  ia 
believed  to  be  the  largest  in  America  or  Europe.     In  their  Boiler  Shop 
they  have  one  large  Riveting  Machine,  and  facilities  for  making  boilers 
or  plate-iron  work,  of  every  description  that  may  be  desired.   But  a  fevr 
years  ago,  Steam  Boilers,  made  of  plate-iron,  were  riveted  exclusively 
with  hand-hammers  ;  and  when  the  City  Water-works  were  located  at 
Centre  Square,  the  steam  boilers  were  built  of  wood  with  cast-iron  fur- 
naces.    At  the  present  time,  in  this,  as  in  the  best  shops,  circular 
boilers  are  riveted  in  a  machine,  by  pressure  produced  by  a  cam  ope- 
rating upon  a  sliding  mandril.     In  their  Smithery,  they  have  a  Nasmyth 
Steam  Hammer,  for  heavy  forgings ;  a  Tilt  Hammer,  for  light  work ; 
and    throughout  the    establishment,    the    minor  tools,  consisting    of 
Lathes,  Boring  Mills,  Slotting  and  Shaping  Machines,  Planing  Machines, 
Horizontal  and  Vertical  Drills,  &c.,  &c.,  are  all  of  the  best  description, 
and  combine  the  latest  improvements. 

Besides  the  superiority  of  its  machinery,  this  establishment  has  been 
peculiarly  fortunate  in  its  mechanical  engineers.  This  position  is  now 
filled  by  one  of  the  partners,  Mr.  Lewis  Taws,  who  has  been  connected 
with  the  establishment  since  1834,  and  whose  apprenticeship  was  passed 
with  Rush  &  Muhlenburg,  the  two  sons-in-law  and  successors  of  Oliver 
Evans,  in  his  establishment,  then  located  at  the  corner  of  Vine  and 
Ninth  streets.  After  his  apprenticeship,  he  obtained  employment  at 
the  West  Point  Foundry  Association,  in  New  York,  where  he  added  to 
his  stock  of  information  from  the  practice  at  those  works,  which  at  that 
time  were  under  the  able  management  of  Adam  Hall,  a  Scotch  engineer 
of  much  eminence.  By  the  proprietors  he  was  sent  to  the  West  Indies, 
to  erect  sugar-mills,  and  remained  during  the  grinding  season  ;  thus 
•obtaining  a  practical  knowledge  of  this  branch  of  the  business.  Subse- 

35* 


434  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

quently,  lie  was  selected  by  the  same  Association  to  erect,  in  North 
Carolina,  the  celebrated  Gang  Saw-mills,  consisting  of  twelve  to  twenty- 
tour  saws,  driven  by  direct  connection  with  a  steam-engine,  running  at 
a  speed  of  120  to  140  strokes  per  minute.  Since  that  time,  the  firm 
with  which  he  is  now  connected  have  built  a  great  number  of  similar 
machines,  with  such  improvements  as  have  been  suggested  by  many 
years  experience.  Flooring  boards  of  yellow  pine  may  almost  be 
deemed  an  indigenous  production  of  North  Carolina ;  and  these  mills, 
which  are  but  little  known  except  at  the  South,  where  such  timber 
grows,  are  peculiarly  adapted  for  their  production.  A  log  of  yellow 
pine  by  this  arrangement  can  be  converted  into  flooring  boards  by  once 
passing  through  the  mill.  With  the  practical  experience  obtained  by 
first  constructing  and  then  working  the  machines,  Mr.  Taws  was  emi- 
nently fitted  to  enter  upon  the  more  enlarged  field  that  opened  to  him 
in  taking  the  management,  as  chief  mechanical  director,  of  an  estab- 
lishment for  the  construction  of  machinery  of  every  description,  and 
for  every  known  purpose  ;  and  with  what  success  he  has  filled  the  posi- 
tion, the  large  amount  of  steam-engines  and  machinery  of  every  descrip- 
tion, constructed  under  his  supervision,  and  scattered  broadcast  through- 
out this  country,  Cuba,  and  Porto  Rico,  and  rating  wherever  placed  as 
second  to  none,  is  direct,  ample,  and  satisfactory  evidence. 

The  firm  of  I.  P.  Morris  &  Co.  is  now  composed  of  Isaac  P.  Morris, 
John  J.  Thompson,  and  Lewis  Taws.  Their  list  of  manufactures  em- 
braces Land  and  Marine  Steam  Engines,  of  all  sizes  and  descriptions ; 
Blowing  Machinery,  Hoisting  and  Pumping  Engines,  Rolling  Mill  Work, 
Sugar  Mills  and  Sugar  Apparatus ;  in  fact,  all  kinds  of  heavy  machi- 
nery except  Locomotives.  For  an  enumeration  of  some  of  the  machines 
constructed  by  them,  see  pages  289  and  326. 

III. 

The  Soutnwark  Foundry.— Merrick  &  Sons,  Proprietors. 

The  Southwark  Foundry,  of  which  Merrick  &  Sons  are  proprietors,  is 
another  of  the  remarkable  Iron  establishments  of  Philadelphia,  located 
in  the  Second  Ward,  and  occupies  the  entire  square  bounded  by  Wash- 
ington and  Federal  streets,  and  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets. 

It  was  started  in  1836,  as  a  Foundry  (for  castings)  only,  but  was  soon 
enlarged ;  and  now,  by  various  accessions  and  improvements,  in  build- 
ings and  tools,  has  become 'a  first-class  establishment  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  all  kinds  of  heavy  machinery. 


THE   SOUTHWARK    FOUNDRY.  435 

Its  buildings  and  yards  occupy  the  following  space : — 

Iron  Foundry,  115  by  107  feet,  j  are&  rf  grQund  &QQT}  ^^  ^  ft 
"5        5o  J 


Brass       "           45  "    25     " 

1,125 

Smith  Shop,      165  "    40    "          "        'll'*J;       " 

6,600 

Machine  "         162  "40     "2  stories,  l    ,<            „ 

6,480 

Pattern    "           "    "      "      "  1  story,    j 

Boiler      «        150"    64      '    |  area  of  ground  floor> 
Gasom'r  "          50  "    64    "    J 

12,800 

Erecting  "          90  «•    25     "    1      „ 
60  "    55     "    J 

5,550 

Carpen'r  "          45  "    35     "    1      „ 
"        "          40  "    32    "    ) 

2,855 

Sheds,  for  Storage,  &c.,  Ac., 

10,700 

Total  area  occupied  by  buildings,        - 

63,650 

"       "     of  yard  room, 

80,550 

Entire  space  occupied  by  the  establishment,        -       144,200      " 

In  addition,  it  has  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Delaware  River,  about  400 
feet  front  and  1,100  feet  deep,  affording  ample  space  for  extensive  iron 
boat  yards ;  and  on  this  tract  there  is  a  fine  pier,  60  feet  wide  and  250  feet 
long,  with  a  very  powerful  shears  at  the  end,  capable  of  lifting  fifty  tons. 

A  brief  description  of  some  of  the  objects  of  interest  in  this  estab- 
lishment will  show  that  the  arrangements,  tools,  and  appliances  in  use, 
are  on  a  scale  proportionate  to  the  capaciousness  of  the  buildings. 

The  foundry  has  two  Cranes,  capable  of  lifting  fifty  tons  each,  and 
three  others  of  thirty  tons  lifting  power,  by  which  any  object  may  be 
transferred  from  one  extremity  to  the  other,  or  to  any  point  on  the  floor. 
Two  50-inch  Cupolas  are  used  for  melting  the  Iron,  and  are  supplied 
by  a  pair  of  Blast  Cylinders,  40  inches  in  diameter,  and  3-feet  stroke. 
Twenty-five  tons  of  metal  can  be  melted  in  three  hours.  The  Ovens  for 
drying  the  Cores  are  of  immense  size  and  capacity. 

In  the  Smith  Shop  the  blast  is  obtained  by  an  Alden  Fan.  There  are 
two  Nasmyth  Steam  Hammers,  one  of  10  cwt.,  and  one  of  5  cwt.  weight 
of  ram.  There  are  also  in  this  shop,  Bolt  and  Rivet  Machines,  for  the 
manufacture  of  these  articles,  large  numbers  of  which  are  annually  used. 
The  Brass  Foundry  has  a  Cupola  and  four  Crucible  Furnaces. 

The  lower  Machine  Shop  has  a  Boring  Mill  which  will  bore  a  cylinder 
11  feet  in  diameter,  and  14  feet  high ;  a  Planing  Machine,  believed  to 
be  the  largest  in  the  world,  capable  of  planing  8  feet  wide,  15  feet 
deep,  and  30  feet  long — besides  other  Lathes  and  Planers,  of  various 


486  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

dimensions  and  power ;  two  Blotters,  Drill  Presses,  &c.,  &c.  The  upper 
Machine  Shop  is  well  stocked  with  smaller  Lathes,  Planers,  Shaping 
and  Drilling  Machines,  Vices,  &c.  The  Boiler  Shop  is  provided  with 
a  Riveting  Machine  capable  of  riveting  a  boiler  40  feet  long,  and  of  any 
diameter  ;  with  a  Treble  Punching  Machine  of  immense  strength ;  with 
heavy  and  light  Shears  and  Punches  ;  an  Air  Furnace,  for  heating  large 
plates;  Rolls,  for  bending;  Cranes,  &c.  The  largest  Erecting  Shed, 
used  for  putting  up  sugar  apparatus,  has  a  traveling  crane  extending 
its  whole  length.  The  business  of  making  Sugar  Apparatus  forms  a 
large  item  in  the  productions  of  this  establishment ;  and  for  a  list  of 
some  of  the  extraordinary  machines  that  have  been  constructed  here, 
see  page  327.  Ordinarily,  from  350  to  500  hands  receive  constant  em- 
ployment at  these  works. 

IV. 

Sharps'  Rifle  Factory. 

About  six  years  ago,  the  attention  of  sporting  and  military  men  was 
invited  to  a  new  Breech-loading  and  Self-priming  Rifle,  which  had  been 
patented  by  a  Mr.  C.  SHARPS  ;  and,  after  the  most  careful  examination 
of  its  construction,  in  comparison  with  others,  it  was  found  to  stand  the 
tests  of  a  first-class  weapon ;  being  safe  and  certain  in  firing,  easily  and 
rapidly  loaded,  simple  in  its  construction,  and  constantly  kept  clean  by 
its  own  operation.  For  sporting  purposes,  this  Rifle  soon  became  a 
favorite  weapon  ;  in  Kansas  its  report  was  heard  ;  the  Ordnance  Depart- 
ment at  Washington  expressed  their  admiration  of  the  improvement ; 
and  subsequently  the  British  Government  ordered  six  thousand  of  these 
Rifles,  for  the  use  of  their  army  in  India.  More  recently,  Mr.  Sharps 
applied  the  principle  which  distinguishes  his  Rifles  to  the  construction 
of  a  new  Pistol  or  Carbine,  especially  designed  for  the  use  of  Mounted 
Dragoons.  The  advantages  claimed  by  the  patentee  for  the  new  Pistol 
are  numerous ;  among  others,  that  it  is  more  compact,  lighter,  has  a 
more  extensive  range,  and  fires  with  greater  accuracy  than  any  Pistol 
now  in  use.  It  is  single-barreled,  but  owing  to  the  ease  with  which  it 
can  be  loaded,  it  is  capable  of  being  fired  twice  as  often  as  any  revolver 
in  a  given  period  of  time.  The  Pistol  weighs  about  two  and  a  half 
pounds;  the  barrels  are  six  and  eight  inches  long,  and  throw  a  half 
ounce  ball  effectively  one-fourth  of  a  mile.  It  primes  itself  for  twenty 
rounds.  There  are  about  1,500  Pistols  now  being  constructed  in  the 
factory.  It  was  recently  tested,  in  competition  with  various  other 
fire-arms,  at  West  Point,  by  a  board  of  officers  appointed  by  the  United 
States  Ordnance  Bureau,  and  struck  a  target  six  feet  square,  at  a  dis- 
tance of  six  hundred  yards,  twenty  out  of  thirty  shots.  The  same  Pis- 


ARCHER,    WARNER,    MISKEY    A    CO.  487 

tol  was  fired  seventy  times  in  seven  minutes,  priming  it  three  times, 
every  ball  striking  a  target  three  feet  square,  at  a  distance  of  forty-five 
feet,  with  a  force  sufficient  to  penetrate  eight  inches  of  pine  board. 
Certificates  from  officers  in  the  army  testify  to  the  high  estimation  in 
which  it  is  held  by  the  troops  that  have  tried  it. 

During  the  last  year,  Mr.  Sharps,  in  association  with  Nathan  H. 
Bolles  and  Ira  B.  Eddy,  under  the  firm-style  of  C.  SHARPS  &  Co.,  erected 
(for  the  manufacture  of  his  tire-arms)  a  very  extensive  establishment 
at  the  West  end  of  the  Wire  Bridge,  near  Fairmount.  The  building 
is  of  brick,  140  feet  long  by  40  feet  broad,  and  is  surmounted  by  a  cu- 
pola, from  which  an  admirable  view  of  the  city  and  surrounding  coun- 
try can  be  obtained.  The  machinery  is  of  the  most  beautiful  and  accu- 
rate description  ;  the  entire  cost  for  the  buildings  and  machinery  being 
about  $130,000.  The  basement  is  used  for  the  forging  of  the  iron  ma- 
terial of  the  Rifles.  In  the  rear  of  the  first  story  is  placed  a  high-pres- 
sure stationary  engine  of  seventy-five  horse  power,  which  forms  the 
motive  power  of  the  establishment.  The  second  story  is  used  for  the 
boring  of  rifle  barrels,  which  are  drilled  from  solid  cylinders  of  cast-steel. 
The  third  story  is  the  tool  manufactory,  where  the  cutting,  milling,  and 
finishing  apparatus  is  constructed.  The  fourth  story  is  the  finishing 
shop,  where  the  rude  materials  are  adjusted,  and  from  which  the  article 
issues  complete.  The  firm  are  engaged  at  present  principally  in 
the  construction  of  Breech-loading  and  Self-priming  Pistols,  though 
a  large  number  of  Rifles  are  rapidly  approaching  completion. 

All  the  materials  used  in  the  manufacture  of  these  arms  are  made  in 
the  building ;  even  down  to  the  screws  which  fasten  the  completed  ar- 
ticle together.  The  firm  possess  the  facilities  for  turning  out  1,000 
Rifles  per  month.  This  is  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  addition  to 
the  manufacturing  establishments  of  Philadelphia. 

V. 

Archer,  Warner,  Miskey  &  Co.'s  Manufactory  of  Gas  Fixtures. 

It  will  be  remembered  by  the  attentive  reader  that  the  author  of  the 
Report  on  the  Industry  of  the  United  States,  whose  remarks  respecting 
the  manufacture  of  Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and  Gas  Fixtures  in  Philadel- 
phia we  quoted  at  length,  stated  that  the  establishment  mentioned  in 
the  caption  of  this  article,  was  in  all  respects,  except  in  extent,  similar 
to  that  of  Cornelius  &  Baker,  which  has  been  described.  It  is  not 
necessary,  therefore,  to  repeat  the  illustrations  given  in  that  quotation 
tending  to  show  the  superiority  of  Philadelphia  manufactures  in  thii 


438  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

branch.  Our  remarks  shall  be  limited  to  a  brief  notice  of  the  founding 
of  the  establishment,  and  of  the  mode  of  manufacturing  Gas  Fixtures, 
as  conducted  in  it. 

In  1842,  Mr.  Ellis  S.  Archer,  the  present  senior  partner  in  the  firm 
of  Archer,  Warner,  Miskey  &  Co.,  invented  and  patented  a  Lard  Lamp ; 
but  could  not  induce  any  one  to  manufacture  and  introduce  to  the 
public  an  article,  for  which  it  was  supposed  there  would  be  no  demand. 
Undaunted  by  these  repulses,  he  obtained  a  cellar,  in  one  corner  of 
which  be  employed  a  few  men  in  making  his  Lamp.  The  value  of 
the  new  invention  was  recognized,  and  the  public  adopted  it,  and 
those  manufacturers  who  could  see  no  merit  in  the  adaptation  of  Lard 
as  an  illuminating  material,  turned  their  attention  to  it.  The  estab- 
lishment was  speedily  enlarged :  other  branches  of  the  business  were 
added,  and  in  1848  Mr.  Archer  became  associated  in  partnership  with 
Mr.  Redwood  F.  Warner.  Determining  to  place  their  house  on  a 
level  at  least  with  the  best  in  the  United  States,  they  saw  that  this 
could  be  effected  by  merit  alone ;  hence,  their  first  effort  was  to  present 
in  their  department  of  Art,  novelty  of  design  combined  with  superiority 
of  finish  and  excellence  of  materials.  Sensibly  foreseeing  that  tho 
growing  taste  in  this  country  required  to  be  fed,  they  obtained  designers 
and  modelers  of  the  highest  talents,  to  whom  they  paid  liberal  salaries, 
and  encouraged  them  in  every  way  to  produce  graceful  and  effective 
designs,  for  Lamps,  Chandeliers,  and  Gas-fittings.  No  amount  of  money 
was  considered  by  them  extravagant,  if  it  secured  a  valuable  result. 
The  consequence  of  this  judiciously  liberal  expenditure  soon  became 
manifest.  From  an  ordinary  firm,  with  a  limited  capital,  doing  a 
moderate  business,  they  sprang  to  a  strong  position  among  the  first 
houses,  in  their  trade,  in  the  United  States.  Their  work  is  admitted 
by  all  to  be  equal  to  that  of  any  competitor,  and  their  manufactory, 
situated  in  Race  above  Fourth  street,  takes  rank  among  the  important 
ones  of  this  city. 

A  systematic  description,  if  we  were  to  attempt  one,  of  the  mode  of 
producing  those  various  artistic  articles  for  which  this  house  is  cele- 
brated, would  lead  us  first  to  the  Modeling  Department.  In  this 
room  every  idea  of  form  and  construction  originates.  Artists  of 
approved  merit  are  employed  in  modeling  designs  in  wax.  The  form 
is  at  first  rudely  shaped  by  the  hands,  and  then  elaborated  by  instru- 
ments of  hard  wood.  In  the  modeling  room,  perfect  accuracy  is  re- 
quired in  the  imitation  of  all  natural  forms ;  and  for  this  purpose  an 
animal  menagerie  is  frequently  assembled.  A  live  deer,  from  Logan 
Square ;  an  eagle,  several  pigeons,  snakes,  children,  <fcc.,  were  all  in 


ARCHER,    WARNER,    MISKEY   A   CO.  439 

use  as  studies  in  modeling  the  Stair  Bailing  for  the  private  stair-cases 
of  the  Senate  Chamber  and  House  of  Representatives  at  Washington.* 

The  model  having  been  formed,  is  sent  to  the  caster,  who  makes  a 
mould  of  it  in  brass.  And  here  may  be  seen  the  most  curious  method 
of  casting  yet  discovered.  It  is,  we  believe,  peculiar  to  this  establish- 
ment, and  the  results  are  as  beautiful  as  the  method  is  singular  and 
difficult.  The  whole  operation  of  casting  the  wax  model  in  brass  is 
delicate,  and  requires  a  firm  hand,  and  an  artistic  comprehension. 

The  model  in  brass  is  now  taken  to  the  chaser,  and  upon  his  skill 
much  depends.  The  general  forms  are  to  be  elaborated  by  his  chisels;  the 
indications  of  character,  of  fur,  or  fibres,  or  feathers,  are  to  be  expressed 
and  defined  by  him.  As  the  beauty  of  a  portrait  depends  upon  those 
delicate  distinctions,  analyzed  only  by  the  artist,  though  recognized  by 
all,  so  the  beauty  of  these  ornamental  castings  depends  upon  their 
delicacy  and  correctness  of  detail.  In  chasing  metal,  more  tools  are 
used  than  in  steel  engraving ;  the  tools  are  driven  by  sharp  blows,  with 
a  light  hammer.  One  of  the  workmen  in  this  department,  showing  a 
hammer,  informed  us  he  had  used  it  thirty-two  years  ;  upon  a  fair  cal- 
culation of  the  daily  work  it  performs,  the  number  of  strokes  made  in 
a  day,  and  the  length  of  each  stroke,  we  believe  this  hammer  to  have 
traveled  36,000  miles  in  thirty-two  years,  or  one-half  more  than  the 
circumference  of  the  earth.  After  this  operation  of  chasing  is  com- 

*  A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Timet  remarked  not  long  since  :  "  I  mean 
the  manufacture  of  Bronzes,  which  I  find  has  assumed,  in  Philadelphia,  more  im- 
posing proportions,  and  a  higher  artistic  character,  than  it  possesses  anywhere 
else  in  the  country.  Everybody  who  has  been  compelled,  for  his  sins,  to  furnish 
a  house,  knows,  of  course,  that  the  chandeliers,  argands,  and  general  gas-fittings 
of  CORNELIUS  A  BAKER  and  ARCHER  &  WARNER  are  the  only  American  articles 
of  the  kind  which  can  sustain  a  comparison  with  the  goods  imported  from  Paris. 
But  in  the  latter  of  these  establishments  I  have  just  seen  the  moulds,  and  the 
models,  and  some  of  the  completed  portions  of  a  magnificent  bronze  balustrading 
designed  for  one  of  the  grand  stairways  of  the  new_Capitol  Building  at  Washing- 
ton, which  is  not  merely  a  wonderful  piece  of  work  in  itself,  but  is,  altogether, 
more  elaborately  elegant  than  any  thing  of  the  kind  which  is  to  be  seen  in 
Europe.  This  balustrading,  which  is  cast,  not  in  basso  relievo,  but  in  full  relief 
of  arabesques  and  figures,  is  about  three  feet  in  height,  and  is  to  be  carried  to  the 
length  of  160  feet  up  the  noble  flight  of  steps  leading  from  the  new  Hall  of  the 
Representatives  to  the  corridor  of  the  Committee  Rooms.  The  designs,  furnished 
by  BRCMIDI,  of  Washington,  are  singularly  bold  and  graceful.  They  represent 
alternate  groups  of  infants,  eagles  and  serpents,  pursuing  and  pursued  through 
wreaths  of  foliage  and  flowers,  and  they  consequently  comprise  almost  all  those 
curvilinear  forms  and  intricate  traceries  which  lay  the  heaviest  tax  upon  the  skill 
of  the  draughtsman  and  the  founder." 


440  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

pleted,  the  model  becomes  a  standard,  from  which  the  caster  may 
multiply  copies  to  the  extent  of  the  demand.  Yet  new  patterns  are 
continually  being  made  ;  and  unsatisfied  with  past  successes,  the  artist 
is  continually  aiming  to  produce  something  more  beautiful  in  the 
future.  So  far  the  operations  of  modeling,  casting,  and  chasing,  form- 
ing the  preparation  of  the  pattern,  have  been  conducted  without  ma- 
chinery. But  when  the  manufacture  commences,  machinery  is  found 
indispensable,  and  we  were  struck  with  the  number  of  labor-saving 
machines  used  by  this  firm,  enabling  them  to  construct  the  difficult 
parts  with  that  degree  of  accuracy  so  essential,  when  numerous  pieces 
are  to  be  placed  together  to  form  a  finished  whole.  Indeed,  the  work 
eo  finished  far  excels  that  made  by  the  more  expensive  old-fashioned 
operations  by  hand. 

In  this  description  merely  the  general  outline  is  described  of  this 
manufacture  ;  even  the  various  processes  are  not  named ;  the  methods 
of  making  Gas  Burners,  Keys,  Vases,  the  methods  of  Enameling,  Stamp- 
ing, Screw  Cutting,  Japanning,  &c.,  are  very  curious,  and  employ  a  large 
number  of  men. 

In  the  manufactory  of  Messrs.  Archer,  Warner,  Miskey  &  Co.,  every 
department  is  entrusted  to  the  best  workmen  of  their  class ;  wherever 
we  looked,  we  saw  order,  neatness,  and  industry.  In  every  one  of  the 
numerous  rooms,  six  fire  buckets,  constantly  filled  with  water,  are  kept; 
and  the  penalty  of  using  the  water  for  any  improper  purposes  of  wash- 
ing, &c.,  is  instant  dismissal  from  the  establishment.  By  means  of 
these  precautions  and  regulations,  the  establishment  has  more  than 
once  been  saved  from  destruction.  Upon  principles  like  these  the 
business  is  conducted  ;  and  the  result  is,  an  establishment  unsurpassed 
in  the  world.  Every  branch  of  the  business  is  carried  on  by  this  firm, 
from  connecting  a  service  pipe  with  the  main  in  the  street  to  con- 
structing, and  suspending  in  its  place,  the  most  costly  and  magnificent 
Chandelier. 

VI. 

Remarkable  Paper  Mills. 

THE    WISSAHICKON    PAPER     MILLS.— CHARLES     MAGARGE, 
PROPRIETOR. 

Twenty-eight  years  ago  a  small  store  for  the  sale  of  paper  was  opened 
in  Minor  street  by  two  brothers,  Charles  &  W.  H.  Magarge.  At  that 
time  Fourdrinier  machines  had  not  been  made  in  the  United  States, 
steam  had  not  been  used  as  an  agent  for  making  paper,  and  the  mills 
were  scattered  along  the  water  courses  remote  from  the  great  centres 


CHARLES  MAGARGE'S  PAPER-MILL.  441 

of  distribution.  The  house  established  as  above-noted,  formed  connec- 
tions with  the  manufacturers  on  one  side  and  the  consumers  of  paper 
on  the  other,  and,  by  a  course  of  dealing  meriting  the  confidence  of  both 
parties,  their  store  became  a  depot  to  which  both  resorted  to  effect  their 
exchanges.  At  the  present  time  the  house  of  CHARLES  MAGARGE  &  Co. 
is  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  best  known  Paper  Commission  houses 
in  the  United  States ;  and  their  immense  warehouse  on  Sixth  and  Car- 
penter streets  is  constantly  filled  with  paper  of  every  variety,  kind, 
quality  and  size. 

In  1845,  the  senior  partner  of  this  firm,  Mr.  Charles  Magarge,  in 
order  to  supply  a  want  in  the  business  of  the  house,  viz. :  the  ability  to 
fill  orders  for  paper  of  unusual  sizes  at  short  notice,  purchased  a  plain, 
substantial  stone  building,  175  by  50  feet,  situated  on  the  Wissahickon 
Creek,  just  below  the  Indian  Rocks,  and  converted  it  into  a  Paper  Mill. 
This  mill  in  his  hands  has  become  the  famous  Wissahickon  Paper  Mill. 
A  gentleman,  who  recently  visited  it,  describes  the  modern  process  of 
paper  making,  by  detailing  the  operations  which  are  carried  on  at  this 
mill:— 

The  visitor  goes  up  to  the  second  story  into  a  room  some  60  by  80  feet,  in  which 
ten  girls  are  engaged  assorting  the  rags.  Here  are  numerous  bales  of  white  rags, 
foreign  and  domestic.  The  imported  are  linen;  the  other,  cotton.  In  the  same 
room  these  rags  are  cut  by  a  machine,  driven  by  power,  which  fits  them  for 
the  subsequent  processes.  They  are  next  sent  into  a  rotary  boiler,  of  two  tons 
capacity,  into  which  steam  is  admitted,  and  the  rags  boiled.  Next  they  are  cast 
down  on  a  floor  in  the  first  story,  where  they  are  put  into  cars,  on  which  they 
are  conveyed  to  the  washing  engines.  Two  engines  are  employed  in  washing, 
called  Rag  Engines.  These  engines  play  in  tubs  of  an  oval  form,  of  large  ca- 
pacity, each  containing  200  Ibs.  of  rag?.  The  impelling  power,  partly  steam, 
partly  water,  causes  the  revolution  of  a  roller,  set  with  knives  or  bars  of  cast  steel 
inserted  into  it  longitudinally.  This  roller  is  suspended  on  what  is  called 
a  lighter,  by  which  it  may  be  raised  or  lowered  at  pleasure  upon  a  plate,  con- 
sisting of  bars  of  steel,  set  up  edgewise.  Passing  now  between  this  roller  and 
plate,  the  rags  are  reduced  to  fibre.  A  stream  of  pure  water  is  then  conveyed 
into  the  Rag  Engine,  and,  by  means  of  a  cylinder  covered  with  gauze  wire,  the 
dirty  water  is  passed  off.  This  cylinder,  called  a  Patent  Washer,  is  octagonal  in 
shape,  some  thirty  inches  in  length,  revolving  in  the  engine,  and  having  buckets 
within  it  corresponding  with  the  sides  of  the  washer.  By  this  process,  the  rags 
are  washed  perfectly  clean  in  from  three  to  six  hours.  The  next  is  the  bleaching 
process,  performed  by  the  insertion  into  this  engine  of  a  strong  solution  of 
me  chlorid  of  lime  and  some  acid,  to  cause  a  reaction.  The  pulp  is  then 
emptied  into  large  cisterns,  covered  with  the  bleach  liquor  it  contains,  where  it 
is  allowed  to  remain  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours  to  bleach.  It  is  then 
drained,  put  into  the  Beating  Engine,  and  reduced  to  a  pulp,  the  consistency  of 
milk,  which  it  much  re'smbles.  This  pulp  is  emptied  into  a  large  cistern,  in  a 

36 


442  PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

vault  beneath,  and  kept  in  motion  by  means  of  an  agitator  revolving  in  it.  It  ii 
then  raised,  by  a  Lifting  Pump,  into  a  small  cistern,  from  which  it  is  drawn  off  by 
a  cock,  which  is  opened,  more  or  less,  according  to  the  thickness  of  the  paper  in- 
tended to  be  made,  on  to  a  strainer,  which  removes  the  knots,  sand,  or  hard  sub- 
stances that  may  damage  the  paper,  and  then  flows  upon  a  leathern  apron,  which 
conducts  it  to  an  endless  wire-cloth,  over  which  the  web  of  paper  is  formed.  This 
wire-cloth  is  kept  constantly  vibrating,  which  both  facilitates  the  escape  of  water 
and  the  felting  together  of  the  fibres  of  the  pulp.  The  wire-cloth,  with  the  pulp 
upon  it — the  edges  being  protected  by  decklo  straps — passes  on  until  it  comes  to 
n  couple  of  wet-prett  cylinders,  as  they  are  called,  the  lower  of  which  is  of  metal, 
but  covered  with  a  jacket  of  felting  or  flannel ;  the  upper  one  is  of  wood,  made 
hollow,  and  covered  first  with  mahogany  and  then  with  flannel.  These  cylinders 
give  the  gauze  with  the  pulp  upon  it  a  slight  pressure,  which  is  repeated  upon  a 
second  pair  of  wet  press-rolls  similar  to  the  first.  The  paper  pulp  is  then  led  on 
upon  an  endless  felt  or  blanket,  which  travels  at  exactly  the  same  rate  as  the  wire 
cloth,  while  the  latter  passes  under  the  cylinders  and  proceeds  to  take  up  a  new 
supply  of  pulp.  The  endless  felt  conveys  the  paper,  still  in  a  very  wet  state, 
between  cast-iron  cylinders,  where  it  undergoes  a  severe  pressure,  which  rids  it 
of  much  of  the  remaining  water,  aud  then  between  a  second  pair  of  press-rollers, 
which  remove  the  mark  of  the  felt  from  the  under  surface;  and,  finally,  it  is 
passed  over  the  surface  of  cylinders  heated  by  steam,  and  when  it  has  passed  over 
about  thirty  lineal  feet  of  heated  surface,  it  is  wound  upon  a  reel  ready  for  cut- 
ting. All  this  is  done  in  the  short  space  of  two  minutes. 

To  manufacture  paper  uniformly  of  superior  quality,  four  things  may 
be  said  to  be  essential — clear  pure  water,  superior  machinery,  good 
stock,  and  the  requisite  skill.  All  these  are  combined  in  the  Wissa- 
hickon  Paper  Mill ;  hence  the  reputation  of  its  products.  As  a  sample 
of  the  quality  of  the  medium-priced  paper  from  this  mill,  we  refer  to 
the  sheets  constituting  this  volume  on  "  Philadelphia  and  its  Manu- 
factures." 

At  the  present  time  Mr.  Magarge  is  about  completing  another  mill 
contiguous  to  the  one  so  well  known,  the  construction  of  which  is 
creditable  alike  to  the  enterprise  of  the  owner  and  the  skill  of  the 
architect  and  builder.  Its  productive  capacity  will  be  over  three  tons 
of  paper  per  day. 

2.  THE  RIVER,  SIDE  PAPER  MILL.— EDWIN  R.  COPE,  PROPRIETOR. 

This  is  a  new  mill,  situated  on  the  Norristown  branch  of  the 
Philadelphia,  Germantown  and  Norristown  Kailroad,  on  the  banks 
of  the  Schuylkill,  about  two  miles  above  Manayunk,  and  adjacent 
to  the  well-known  Soap  Stone  Quarry.  The  mill  is  a  substantial 
stone  edifice,  three  stories  in  height,  and  consists  of  a  main  building, 
50  by  80  feet ;  a  machine  house,  50  by  100  feet;  an  engine  house,  20  by 
40  feet ;  two  boiler  houses,  one  24  by  42  feet;  another,  27  by  32  fent 


COPE'S  PAPER-MILL.  443 

The  paper  machinery  was  supplied  from  the  well-known  establishment 
of  Nelson  Gavit,  and  is  supposed  to  be  one  of  his  master  pieces.  It  is 
impelled  by  a  vertical  beam  condensing  and  non-condensing  steam 
engine,  150  horse  power,  with  George  W.  Corlis's  cut-off  and  regulator, 
attached.  This  engine  was  manufactured  by  the  Camden  Iron  Manu- 
facturing Company,  and  is  regarded  as  a  very  superior  machine.  The 
boilers  attached  to  this  engine  are  classed  as  dropped  flue  boilers  of 
improved  construction,  planned  by  Mr.  Dialogue,  Superintendant  of  the 
Camden  Company.  Water  is  supplied  to  the  mill  from  a  reservoir, 
containing  ten  days,  or  two  weeks'  supply,  "coming  in  with  a  head  of 
upward  of  forty  feet."  The  arrangements  for  keeping  it  clear,  under 
all  circumstances,  are  perfect.  The  entire  cost  of  the  mill  and  ma- 
chinery was  $70,000.  It  now  employs  thirty  hands,  of  whom  one-half 
are  females.  The  consumption  of  rags  is  4,000  Ibs.  per  day ;  and  the 
leading  production  is  a  quality  of  book  paper,  which,  in  all  the  essen- 
tials of  good  paper,  firmness  of  the  sheet,  purity  of  the  pulp,  color,  and 
hardness  of  the  sizing,  can  fairly  compete  with  any  of  the  best  papers 
made  in  this  country  or  in  Europe. 

The  proprietor  of  this  mill,  Mr.  E.  R.  Cope,  has  long  been  identified 
with  the  manufacture  of  paper  in  this  city;  and,  situated  as  his  mill  is, 
with  every  facility  for  obtaining  raw  materials  and  coal,  both  by  rail- 
road and  canal,  with  the  best  of  water  and  very  superior  machinery,  its 
products  will  take  rank  among  the  choicest  and  most  highly  appre- 
ciated. 

TO. 
Rogers'  Carriage  Manufactory. 

With  the  exception  of  two  or  three  noted  establishments,  our  atten- 
tion in  our  tour  of  observation  around  the  city  was  invited  to  none  other 
more  frequently  than  to  that  which  forms  the  caption  of  this  article. 
Even  in  a  brass-founder's  shop  we  were  reminded  "  not  to  forget  the 
superiority  of  the  light  carriages  constructed  in  Philadelphia — that 
Rogers  builds  as  good  vehicles  as  are  built  in  the  world ;"  and  that  he 
deserves  special  credit,  for  by  the  excellence  of  his  manufactures  he 
reflects  credit  upon  the  city.  Attending  Herkness'  Auction  Sale  of  Car- 
riages, we  noticed  that  whenever  a  second-hand  "  Rogers'  Wagon"  was 
offered,  the  attention  of  the  bystanders  was  awakened — bidding  became 
lively,  and  the  price  obtained  was  evidently  satisfactory  to  the  seller. 
We  then  recollected  of  having  read  that  a  light  carriage,  constructed 
by  Mr.  Rogers  to  order,  for  a  gentleman  in  Switzerland,  was  regarded, 
from  its  extraordinary  lightness  and  strength,  as  so  great  a  curiosity 


444 


PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    iMANUFACTURES. 


that,  the  owner  having  left  it  for  a  day  at  a  hotel  a  few  miles  from 
Zurich,  the  hostler  exhibited  it  during  his  absence,  at  a  stipulated  charge 
for  "a  sight,"  and  thus  made  more  money  in  one  day  than  his  wages 
amounted  to  in  six  months.  All  these  circumstances  combined — the  com- 
plimentary allusions  to  his  work  by  competent  judges,  and  similar  allu- 
sions to  his  standing  as  a  gentleman  by  his  fellow-mechanics,  excited 
a  strong  desire  to  know  something  of  his  manufacturing  facilities,  and 
the  following  is  the  report  of  a  gentleman  who  was  specially  employed 
to  describe  them. 


REPORT. 

The  entire  establishment  includes  two  buildings,  a  Factory  and  a 
Repository,  and  the  combination  constitutes,  probably,  the  largest  one 
of  the  kind  in  the  country ;  having  an  actual  working  space  of  nearly 
40,000  superficial  feet.  The  factory  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  city,  at  the  intersection  of  three  streets,  Sixth,  Marshall,  and 
Master,  occupying  the  entire  square ;  the  lot  is  137  feet  on  Sixth  street, 
137  on  Marshall,  and  172  on  Master  street.  The  factory  itself  is  a 
handsome  building,  of  forty  feet  front,  and  the  full  depth  of  the  lot.  It 
is  four  stories  high,  well  lighted,  furnished  with  all  conveniences,  and 
with  the  jobbing-shops,  silver-plating,  and  wheel-shops,  and  lumber 
sheds,  forms  a  hollow  square.  Within  these  boundaries  every  part  of 
the  business  is  pursued ;  and  in  the  factory  nine  distinct  occupations 


ROGERS'  CARRIAGE  FACTORY.  445 

necessary  to  the  manufacture  of  a  carriage  are  carried  on.  One  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  men  are  employed  in  these  departments,  includ- 
ing smiths,  designers,  body-makers,  wheelwrights,  carvers,  painters, 
platers,  trimmers,  upholsterers,  and  others  of  occupations  less  dis- 
tinctive. These  departments  we  shall  examine  upon  the  plan  em- 
ployed in  the  construction  of  a  carriage. 

Entering  the  front  door,  we  find  ourselves  in  a  large  and  handsome 
room,  filled  with  Barouches,  Buggies,  Germantown  Wagons,  and  light 
carriages  of  every  description,  completed,  and  ready  to  be  sent  to  the 
Repository.  Interested,  at  present,  more  in  the  method  than  the  result, 
we  are  shown  by  the  politeness  of  Mr.  Gorgas,  the  intelligent  foreman 
of  the  establishment,  into  the  Body  Department,  in  which  the  carriage 
we  intend  to  build  is  commenced. 

The  first  step  in  construction  is  the  execution  of  a  design  on  paper  ; 
and  here  the  idea  of  a  Buggy,  or  Barouche,  is  first  realized  upon  a  scale 
of  three  quarters  of  an  inch  to  the  foot.  This  done,  the  purchaser  is  at 
liberty  to  suggest  any  alteration  in  his  plan ;  and  the  second  step  is  the 
execution  of  a  geometrical  plan  of  the  body  upon  the  black  board.  The 
third  step  is  cutting  the  patterns  in  thin  wood.  The  skeleton  in  wood 
is  now  completed,  and  the  shape  and  proportion  are  determined.  In 
this  process  not  merely  mechanical  ability  of  execution,  but  mathemati- 
cal exactness  of  design  is  essential.  In  this  room  fifteen  men  are  busily 
employed  in  wheel  work,  and  making  body  patterns.  "Wood,  how- 
ever, is  insufficient ;  its  strength  barely  supports  its  own  weight,  and 
could  not  possibly  support  the  strain  of  unequal  movement,  with  the 
burden  of  a  single  person.  The  skeleton  must  be  strengthened  ;  and 
for  this  purpose  it  is  removed  from  the  second  story  to  the  Smith  Shop, 
upon  the  ground  floor.  In  this  department  the  body  is  bound,  and 
riveted  in  Iron.  This  shop  is  probably  one  of  the  finest  of  the  kind  in 
the  country.  All  the  iron-work  of  a  carriage  is  executed  here ;  and  the 
bolts,  iron  axles,  locks,  hinges,  tires,  and  springs,  are  made  and  fastened 
to  the  wood.  Twelve  large  forges  are  in  constant  use,  and  thirty-five 
men  are  employed.  The  springs  used  are  all  of  one  kind,  and  found 
practically  superior  to  any  that  are  patented.  The  principle  in  all 
springs  is  identical,  and  the  important  difference  is  in  the  quality  of 
manufacture  more  than  the  mere  form. 

The  process  ensuring  stability  being  completed,  the  skeleton  is  again 
removed  to  the  Body  Department,  where  the  paneling  follows ;  the 
floors  are  laid ;  the  sides  are  built  upon  the  proper  curves ;  the  seats  and 
doors  are  introduced,  and  the  body  is  ready  for  the  painting  room. 

In  this  room,  in  the  third  story,  eighteen  or  twenty  coats  of  paint  are 
given  to  the  carriage ;  each  being  dried  before  the  following  coat  is 

36* 


446  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

applied,  and  the  whole  surface  repeatedly  polished  with  pumice  stone, 
These  early  coats  are  merely  intended  as  the  ground  for  future  color, 
and  are  technically  termed  the  "  priming."  White  lead  and  litharge 
are  used  at  first,  and  succeeded  by  coats  of  white  lead  and  yellow 
ochre,  upon  which  the  selected  colors  of  green,  brown,  black,  &c.,  are 
properly  applied. 

The  body  is  now  removed  to  the  Trimming  Room,  where  considerable 
taste  is  employed  in  selecting  the  material,  and  adapting  the  color  of 
the  trimmings.  Fine  cloths,  silks,  carpetings,  lace,  oilskin,  embossed 
leather,  hair  cushions,  &c.,  are  here  employed  in  furnishing  the  coach. 
The  coach  now  presents  a  very  handsome  appearance,  but  so  far, 
instead  of  carrying  others,  it  has  been  carried  about  itself.  Leaving  it 
upon  the  trestles,  we  return  to  the  lower  story. 

The  carriage  manufacture  is  divided  into  two  branches,  those  of  body 
making  and  of  carriage  making ;  for  though  we  have  used  the  term 
"carriage"  indiscriminately,  in  technical  phraseology  it  applies  only 
to  axles  and  wheels,  or  the  locomotive  section  of  the  vehicle.  Wheel- 
making  is  usually  a  separate  business ;  but  Mr.  Rogers  prefers  that 
all  parts  of  his  carriages  should  be  of  his  own  manufacture.  Wheels 
are  made  in  large  quantities,  and  a  stock  is  kept  on  hand.  An  exact 
proportion  exists  of  the  wheels  to  the  body,  and  the  average  difference 
of  diameter,  between  the  fore  and  hind  wheels,  is  two  inches.  In  the 
lumber  yard  is  an  immense  stock  of  hickory,  of  which  the  wheels  and 
shafts  are  made;  a  material  securing  unusual  lightness  and  strength. 
Ash  is  generally  used  for  the  body ;  oak,  poplar,  &c.,  are  employed  for 
various  parts ;  and  most  of  this  wood  is  kept  on  hand  two  years 
before  it  is  used. 

The  "  carriage,"  like  the  body,  passes  through  several  successive 
stages,  and  after  it  is  completed  with  axles,  perches,  shafts,  &c.,  the  body 
is  hung  upon  the  springs,  and  the  coach  is  conveyed  to  the  Finishing 
Room.  Here  it  is  polished,  varnished,  enameled,  ornamented,  finished : 
and  only  requires  a  pair  of  horses,  a  driver,  a  young  lady,  and  a  plank 
road,  to  display  its  comfort,  durability,  and  speed. 

In  passing  through  this  establishment,  we  were  pleased  with  the  ar- 
rangement of  rooms,  the  facilities  of  transferring  work  from  the  ground 
floor  to  the  fourth  story ;  and,  most  of  all,  with  the  systematic  manage- 
ment, evident  in  every  department,  as  well  as  in  the  entire  establish- 
ment. We  saw  much  beautiful  and  elaborate  work  in  process  of  manu- 
facture, chiefly  of  light  carriages ;  the  building  of  heavy  coaches  com- 
mencing in  July,  for  the  fall  trade.  In  the  body  room  we  saw  a  mag- 
nificent Brett,  intended  for  St.  Louis,  in  which  by  the  use  of  curved 
iron  work,  bracing  the  wood,  the  ordinary  perch  is  dispensed  with,  and 


WILSON,  CHILDS  &  CO.'S   WAGON  MANUFACTORY.         447 

the  body  is  supported  by  its  own  firmness.  Twelve  shifting  top  wagona 
for  the  same  city,  of  polished  hickory,  are  not  surpassed  in  our  re- 
membrance for  excellence  and  beauty  ;  and  a  Box  Buggy  for  this  city, 
ornamented  with  exquisite  paintings,  the  order  having  been  given  to 
disregard  expense,  will  be  one  of  the  handsomest  light  carriages  ever 
built  in  Philadelphia  or  elsewhere. 

Mr.  Rogers  is  also  building  several  light  Buggies  to  order  for  gentle- 
men in  Austria;  and  no  doubt  but  many  of  these  will  be  driven  on  the 
Prator  at  Vienna,  ere  this  year  closes. 

The  Repository,  an  exterior  and  interior  view  of  which  is  given  on 
the  opposite  page,  is  situated  on  Chestnut  street  above  Tenth.  This  edi- 
fice is  46  feet  front,  and  178  feet  deep,  and  three  stories  high,  and  is  an 
ornament  to  the  neighborhood.  Here  carriages  of  all  kinds  are  kept 
for  sale ;  and  here  all  ordered  work  is  deposited  for  delivery,  after 
having  received  a  careful  test  examination  at  the  factory.  Some  of  the 
handsomest  carriages  ever  made  in  America  are  exhibited  here ;  and 
persons  more  fond  of  examining  beautiful  results  than  inquiring  into 
curious  and  complicated  methods,  are  invited  to  pay  a  visit  to  the 
Repository. 

VIII. 

Remarkable  Wagon-making  Establishments. 

In  order  to  compensate  in  part  for  the  compulsory  brevity  with  which 
we  were  compelled  to  treat  the  important  manufacture  of  "Wagons, 
Carts,  &c.,  we  insert  Mr.  Young's  description  of  two  of  these  mammoth 
establishments. 

WILSON,  CHILDS    A    CO.'S   WAGON   MANUPACTOBY. 

The  largest  Wagon-making  establishment  in  Philadelphia,  and  perhaps  in  the 
country,  is  that  of  D.  G.  WILSON,  J.  CHILDS  A  Co.,  whose  office  is  at  the  corner  of 
St.  John  and  Buttonwood  streets.  Messrs.  Wilson  A  Childs  formed  a  copartner- 
ship in  1829,  and  commenced  business  on  the  premises  now  occupied  by  them, 
which  fronts  on  three  streets — Third,  Buttonwood,  and  St.  John — extending  230 
feet  on  Buttonwood,  and  113  on  St.  John.  A  four-story  brick  building,  86  by  45 
feet,  has  recently  been  erected  on  the  St.  John  street  front.  Their  increased  busi- 
ness requiring  more  room,  they  purchased,  in  1850,  a  manufactory  erected  by  Mr. 
Simons,  also  the  adjoining  property— comprising  in  all  a  square  on  Second  street, 
and  Lehigh  Avenue ;  the  whole  containing  260,500  square  feet,  or  over  6  acres. 
The  square  on  the  East  side  of  Second  street  is  500  by  248  feet,  and  is  used  as  a 
Lumber  Yard,  in  which  are  piled  plank  and  boards  of  various  thicknesses,  from 
one  to  five  inches ;  also  spokes  and  hubs.  These  are  left  to  season  from  one  to 
five  years  ;  one  year  being  required  for  every  inch  in  thickness.  Spokes  in  the 
rough  are  also  piled  and  seasoned.  Timber  for  hubs  is  made  chiefly  from  black 


448  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 

locust  trees  of  different  sizes,  sawed  into  suitable  lengths,  and  before  being  stowed 
away  to  season,  have  the  bark  removed,  and  a  hole  bored  in  the  centre,  to  facili- 
tate the  seasoning  process.  On  the  western  side  of  Second  street — the  lot  being 
500  feet  by  273,  and  containing  over  three  acres — the  various  workshops  are  situ- 
ated. The  principal  buildings  are  one  brick  Wheel  and  Body  Shop,  100  by  45 
feet,  and  three  stories  high  ;  one  brick  Blacksmith  Shop,  200  by  35  feet;  the  Saw- 
Mill,  Engine  House,  and  Machine  Shop,  80  by  45  feet,  and  three  stories  high ; 
Running-gear  Shops,  100  by  45  feet;  Paint  Shop,  Office,  Stables,  Sheds,  &c.  ;  the 
Boiler  House  is  a  separate  building. 

The  variety  and  extent  of  the  business  may  be  learned  by  an  inspection  of  the 
different  successive  operations  required  to  make  a  wagon.  Plank  of  three  or  four 
inches'in  thickness,  for  felloes  and  shafts,  spokes,  hubs  of  proper  sizes — all  suffi- 
ciently seasoned — are  selected  from  the  lumber  yard,  and  removed  into  the  saw-mill. 
Here  there  are  two  Upright  and  six  Circular  Saws ;  a  machine  for  boring  holes  in 
the  centre  of  the  hub ;  another  for  boring  holes  for  the  spokes ;  four  Drills  (self- 
feeding)  for  drilling  iron.  In  other  shops  there  are  a  Planing  Machine,  a  Mortising 
Machine,  two  machines  for  turning  Spokes,  machines  for  driving  in  the  Spokes 
and  for  shaping  the  Felloes,  and  finishing  them  complete,  and  a  machine  for  boring 
Hubs  so  as  to  put  the  boxes  in  properly,  and  to  ensure  accuracy  and  a  solid 
bearing.  The  planks,  after  being  marked,  are  sawed  into  shafts,  and  into  felloes. 
Hubs  are  turned  in  a  lathe,  and  both  ends  sawed  at  once  by  circular  saws.  They 
are  then  conveyed  to  other  shops,  where  the  wheels  and  running-gears  are  com- 
pleted. The  bodies  are  made  by  a  number  of  men,  each  having  his  particular  work 
assigned  him ;  and,  by  such  subdivision  of  labor,  greater  excellence  and  celerity 
is  attained.  In  the  Engine  and  Machine  Shop  the  Iron  Axles  are  turned,  Screws 
cut,  and  a  number  of  other  operations  performed.  The  Blacksmiths'  Shop,  a  new 
brick  building,  is  one  of  the  best  arranged  I  have  ever  seen.  It  is  very  high,  and 
thoroughly  ventilated,  the  gas  being  carried  off,  rendering  it  healthy  and  pleas- 
ant for  the  men ;  it  has  twenty-four  fires,  a  machine  for  Punching,  for  making 
Bolts,  Rivets,  Ac.  Of  course,  all  the  Hoops  or  Bands,  Tires,  Straps,  Bolts,  Rivet^ 
Staples — in  short,  all  the  iron-work  for  the  wagon  is  made  here.  The  upper  story 
of  the  Body-shop,  and  also  a  separate  building,  are  used  as  Paint  Shops.  Pre- 
vious to  this  finishing  operation,  however,  and  when  every  defect  can  easily  bo 
discovered,  the  Wagons  for  the  Government  are  minutely  examined  by  an  in- 
spector, whose  keen  eyes  are  not  easily  blinded :  and  when  passed  by  him  their 
excellence  and  durability  may  be  relied  on. 

To  give  an  idea  of  the  extent  of  business  carried  on  in  one  of  these  great 
establishments,  and  of  the  large  capital  required,  the  stock  on  hand  a  few  months 
since  may  be  stated,  viz.: — 1,500,000  feet  of  hard-wood  plank  and  boards,  30,000 
hubs,  472,000  spokes,  and  150  tons  of  iron.  At  the  period  of  my  visit,  the  second 
story  of  a  building  273  by  23  feet,  except  twenty  feet  at  one  end,  was  filled  with 
wheels ;  there  must  have  been  several  thousands.  The  lower  floor  of  the  same 
building  was  filled  with  cart  and  wagon  bodies.  The  number  of  hands  employed 
averages  173. 

The  old  establishment  on  St.  John,  Buttonwood,  and  Third  streets,  is  still  used 
by  this  firm,  but  it  is  eclipsed  by  the  larger  one  above  described.  They  also  own 
the  warehouse,  70  Carondelet  street,  New  Orleans  ;  and  have  an  agency  in  Mobile. 


REMARKABLE  WAGON-MAKING   ESTABLISHMENT.         449 

SIMONS,  COLEMAN  &  CO.'S  WAGON  FACTORY, 
1109  NORTH  FRONT  STREET. 

This  firm  is  also  very  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  Wagons,  Carta, 
Drays,  Ox-Wheels,  Timber- Wheels,  Wheelbarrows,  Ac.  Mr.  Simons  has  been 
identified  with  the  business  for  many  years  ;  and  the  other  partners  are  sons  of 
the  late  Mr.  N.  Coleman,  a  well-known  manufacturer  in  this  branch.  The  premi- 
ses now  occupied  by  Simons,  Coleman  &  Co.,  consist  of  one  brick  building, 
100  by  34  feet,  four  stories  high;  another  30  by  40  feet,  four  stories  high;  one 
frame  building,  96  by  24  feet,  two  stories  high ;  which  are  used  for  wood-working. 
Their  Steam  Engine  is  in  a  two-story  building,  40  by  45  feet,  in  which  also 
there  are  Iron  Lathes,  Wood  Lathes,  Rip  Saws,  Jig  Saws,  Drills,  and  a  Scrow- 
cutter.  The  last  is  on  a  new  and  improved  plan,  and  will  cut,  it  is  said,  more 
than  any  other  now  in  use.  Their  Blacksmiths'  Shops,  which  are  divided  into 
four  apartments,  occupy,  in  all,  a  space  of  about  600  by  45  feet,  in  which  they 
have  25  forges,  with  Patent  Bolt  and  Rivet  machines,  and  Power  Punch  and 
Shears.  Three  yards  are  required  for  storing  Lumber,  Spokes,  and  Hubs ;  and 
they  have  now  on  hand  about  1,200,000  feet  of  seasoned  Oak  Lumber,  with  Hubs 
and  Spokes  in  proportionate  quantities.  Their  increased  business  during  the 
past  year  requiring  additional  room,  they  obtained  a  lot  on  North  Second  street, 
extending  from  Huntingdon  to  Cumberland  street,  500  feet,  and  from  Second  to 
Washington,  273  feet.  They  have  in  course  of  erection  a  Wheelwright  Shop,  105 
by  66  feet,  five  stories  high ;  a  Blacksmiths'  Shop,  106  by  51  feet,  three  stories 
high ;  an  Iron  Mill,  51  by  30  feet ;  and  a  Wood  Mill,  51  by  27,  both  four  stories 
high — all  the  Machinery  to  be  driven  by  an  Engine  of  sixty-horse  power.  These 
works,  it  is  expected,  will  be  in  operation  in  September  of  this  year  (1858);  and, 
in  conjunction  with  the  shops  present,  will  afford  employment  to  at  least  250 
workmen.  When  finished  these  buildings  will,  probably  be  the  largest  used  for 
Wheelwright  shops  in  the  United  States. 

This  firm  have  agencies  at  New  Orleans,  Mobile,  Charleston,  Savannah,  Gal- 
veston,  Indianola,  and  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

In  the  two  establishments  just  noticed,  550  Wagons  for  the  Utah  Expedition 
were  completed  in  about  five  weeks,  in  addition  to  the  large  number  which  they 
make  to  keep  good  their  stocks  in  their  numerous  depots  throughout  the  South. 
The  importance  to  Philadelphia  of  this  branch  of  manufacture — affording,  as  it 
does,  employment  to  various  mechanics  and  artisans,  and  diffusing  money  among 
the  proprietors  of  rolling-mills,  saw-mills,  Ac.,  and  through  all  these  to 
hundreds  of  others — cannot  be  over-estimated ;  and  the  proprietors  should,  in 
common  with  other  manufacturers,  receive  that  consideration  which  their  enter, 
prise  merits.  EDWARD  YOUNG. 


450  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

IX. 

Wood  &  Perot's  Ornamental  Iron  Works. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  on  page  295  we  quoted  from  the  report 
of  Messrs.  Whitworth  &  Wallis,  Commissioners  sent  by  England  to 
the  New  York  Crystal  Palace,  some  highly  complimentary  allusions 
to  the  success  of  Philadelphia  mechanics  in  the  production  of  Orna- 
mental and  decorative  Iron  Castings,  reference  being  made  particu- 
larly to  the  works  of  Kobert  Wood,  now  WOOD  &  PEROT'S,  which  we 
promised  to  describe  more  at  length. 

The  establishment  of  Messrs.  WOOD  &  PEROT  dates  its  origin 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  back,  and  traces  it  to  what  was  then  little 
more  than  an  ordinary  smithery.  In  its  growth,  it  beautifully  illus- 
trates— and  we  might  refer  to  it  for  that  purpose — the  subtle  law  of 
mechanical  progress  and  expansion,  whereby  manufactories,  as  so  often 
seen  in  this  city,  grow  into  vast  importance  and  dimensions,  almost 
imperceptibly  to  the  residents  of  the  vicinity,  by  addition  after  addition 
to  the  original  structure.  Recently,  in  this  instance,  a  row  of  small 
tenements  on  Twelfth  street  was  purchased  and  torn  down,  to  give 
place  to  a  new  foundry  eighty  feet  square,  and  an  additional  warehouse 
for  the  increasing  stock  of  finished  Railings,  parts  of  Railings,  etc. ; 
and  thus  this  manufactory  has  gone  on  extending  and  absorbing  other 
buildings,  until  now  it  is  a  central  point  in  the  section  of  the  city  in 
which  it  is  located,  and  occupies  almost  the  entire  square  bounded 
by  Ridge  Avenue,  Twelfth,  Spring  Garden,  and  Buttonwood  streets. 
We,  however,  refer  to  this  establishment  more  particularly  to  illustrate 
its  importance  from  a  national  point  of  view.  The  writer  well  recol- 
lects the  sensation  that  was  created,  some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago, 
upon  the  appearance  of  handsome  folios,  issued  gratuitously  by  this 
house,  containing  engravings  and  designs  to  be  executed  in  cast  iron, 
such  as  had  never  before  been  equalled  ;  and  the  impulse  that  was  then 
given  to  Decorative  Art  has  been  felt  in  all  parts  of  our  country — at 
least  wherever  civilization  has  finished  its  first  rough  work  of  clearing 
the  ground.  It  was  then  seen,  as  we  believe  for  the  first  time,  that 
forms  of  rare  artistic  beauty  in  an  imperishable  material  were  within 
the  reach  of  men  of  very  moderate  means.  The  farmer,  as  well  as  the 
millionaire,  could  have  an  ornamental  Verandah  to  his  house,  decora- 
tions for  his  garden  or  his  grounds,  and  a  beautiful  Iron  protection 
around  the  graves  of  his  ancestors  ;  and  thus  one  barrier  to  the  equality 
of  mankind  was  removed.  The  chasm  that  separates  rural  towns  from 
the  great  cities  was  also  narrowed,  and  objects  of  high  Art  were  no 
longer  confined  exclusively  to  the  latter,  but  became  diffused  and 


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WOOD  &  PEROT'S  ORNAMENTAL  IRON  WORKS.       451 

familiar  in  both,  alike  educating  the  taste  of  the  people,  and  promoting 
public  spirit  and  private  content. 

But  our  readers  are  no  doubt  aware  of  the  important  part  which  this 
firm  has  performed  in  the  adornment  of  the  dwelling-places,  breathing- 
places,  and  last  resting-places  of  the  intra-mural  portion  of  the  Ame/i- 
can  people,  and  desire  us  to  hasten  and  furnish  them  with  some 
description  of  the  Works  of  which  they  have  heard  something,  and  of 
the  facilities  which  this  firm  have  accumulated  in  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury's experience.  We  do  not  know  how  to  do  this  in  any  more  satis- 
factory manner  than  by  extracting  largely  from  the  report  of  a  visit, 
made  recently  to  these  Works,  by  the  accomplished  Reporter  of  the 
Evening  Bulletin,  of  this  city.  It  perhaps  does  not  remark  with  sufficient 
emphasis,  the  vast  expense  which  this  firm  incur  annually  in  getting 
up  new  patterns  ;  the  high  character  of  the  artists  which  they  employ, 
and  their  success  in  the  application  of  the  ornamental  to  the  useful ; 
but  it  is,  nevertheless,  a  very  comprehensive,  and  an  entirely  reliable 
description. 

"  The  visitor  is  first  ushered  into  the  show  rooms  on  the  second  floor,  on  Ridge 
Avenue,  and  he  finds  himself  among  the  Iron  counterfeit  presentments  of  a  vast 
variety  of  natural  objects,  as  well  as  an  assortment  of  elegant  articles  for  uses 
almost  as  various  as  the  patterns  of  the  work  before  him.  Men,  women,  stags, 
lions,  dogs,  lambs,  eagles,  etc.,  etc.,  are  faithfully  reproduced  in  Iron,  and  some 
of  the  objects  are  modelled  so  truthfully  and  so  naturally,  that  they  have  not 
unfrequently  been  taken  for  the  living  animals  they  represent.  In  this  apart- 
ment a  graceful  Iron  fountain  throws  refreshing  jets  into  the  air,  while  in  the 
basin  at  its  foot  gold  fish  swim  among  cast  iron  bull-frogs,  and  it  requires  a  keen 
sight  to  detect  that  the  latter  are  not  the  living  animals  they  seem.  In  the  show 
room  there  are  Verandahs  of  many  patterns,  Railing  in  almost  endless  variety,  Gar- 
den Chairs  and  Settees,  Hat-racks,  huge  Candelabra,  Centre  Tables,  Ornamental 
hitehing-posts,  improved  school-desks,  stairways,  balconies,  tree-boxes,  brackets, 
umbrella-stands,  and  in  fact,  almost  every  article  of  a  decorative  character  which 
the  great  Pennsylvania  staple  is  capable  of  being  made  into.  Not  only  is  there 
an  immense  variety  in  the  objects  displayed,  but  the  visitor  becomes  bewildered 
among  the  almost  infinite  variety  of  patterns  the  different  articles  are  made  to 
assume.  It  is  no  wonder  that  the  lithographed  book  of  designs  of  this  firm  form 
a  large  and  expensive  volume,  and  that  new  editions  are  constantly  required  to 
keep  pace  with  the  fresh  inventions  of  their  draughtsmen. 

"  In  one  branch  of  the  establishment  we  found  a  large  force  of  workmen  engaged 
in  finishing  numerous  articles  that  were  to  be  sent  abroad.  Conspicuous  among 
these  was  an  elegant  family  Vault,  for  a  gentleman  at  New  Orleans.  This  hand- 
some Mausoleum  was  composed  entirely  of  Iron.  It  will  be  placed  on  the  surface 
of  the  ground,  as  all  tombs  are  built  at  New  Orleans :  and  when  lined  with  brick, 
and  painted,  it  will  be  quite  as  handsome  as  stone,  much  less  liable  to  fracture, 
and  much  less  expensive.  This  is  a  new  application  of  Iron.  Here  were  some 


152  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

sections  of  massive  railing  intended  for  the  Patent  Office  at  Washington  ;  there 
were  the  heavy  iron  railing,  columns  and  stairs,  for  the  Post  Office  at  Petersburg, 
Va. ;  there  again  were  the  heavy  railing  for  a  public  square  at  Mobile,  and  the 
railing  for  the  Custom  House  at  Georgetown,  D.  C.  The  proprietors  informed 
us  that  the  railing  for  the  Custom  House  at  Oswego,  N.  T.,  had  just  been  shipped. 
In  this  same  immense  room,  we  saw  the  massive  iron  desks  and  counters  of  the 
Corn  Exchange  Bank,  waiting  to  be  put  up  as  soon  as  their  new  building  at  Sec- 
ond and  Chestnut  streets  is  in  readiness  for  their  reception.  These  desks  and 
counters  are  constructed  in  the  same  style  as  those  placed  in  the  Farmers'  and  Me- 
chanics' Bank,  by  this  firm,  with  such  improvements  as  experience  has  suggested. 
When  they  are  in  their  places,  and  bronzed,  they  will  challenge  admiration  as 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  pieces  of  Iron-work  ever  executed. 

"The  operations  of  Messrs.  WOOD  &  PEROT  require  the  aid  of  artists  as  well  as 
of  skillful  mechanics.  We  have  already  said  that  they  have  draughtsmen  con- 
stantly employed  in  getting  up  new  designs  ;  but  the  pattern-maker  must  needs 
be  an  artist  also.  We  paid  a  visit  to  this  portion  of  the  establishment,  and  found 
ourselves  in  the  midst  of  incipient  busts  of  Washington  and  Shakspeare,  half- 
developed  greyhounds,  life-size  deer,  and  roughly  blocked-out  eagles.  On  a 
table  was  stretched  a  headless  and  armless  Mercury.  The  limbs  and  caput  were 
detached,  and  we  were  made  to  understand  how,  in  casting  figures,  the  'pattern' 
must  be  in  such  a  number  of  parts  that  it  can  be  taken  from  the  mould,  piece- 
meal, without  damaging  the  impression  left  in  the  sand  by  the  figure.  Speaking 
of  patterns  reminds  us  that  WOOD  &  PEROT  have  a  large  building  upon  their 
premises  for  the  exclusive  storing  of  patterns.  The  latter  are  the  accumulation 
of  years,  and  they  are  of  great  value  to  their  owners.  As  their  loss  would  be 
irreparable,  the  building  provided  for  their  safe  keeping  is  perfectly  fire-proof. 

"Messrs.  WOOD  &  PEROT  have  one  hundred  and  twenty  hands  employed 
directly  in  their  establishment,  and  they  are  aided  in  their  operations  by  a  steam 
engine  of  twenty-five  horse  power.  During  the  late  panic  every  man  was  kept 
employed  full  time,  at  full  wages,  and  there  was  no  cessation  in  the  operations 
of  the  firm.  They  are  constantly  receiving  and  filling  orders  for  ornamental  iron 
work  for  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  for  Matanzns,  Cuba,  and  Canada. 
Before  Messrs.  WOOD  &  PEROT  introduced  their  work  into  Canada,  that  portion 
of  the  British  possessions  was  supplied  from  England;  but  the  superior  elegance 
of  Philadelphia-made  Iron-work  has  driven  the  English  manufacturers  out  of  the 
market,  and  Messrs.  WOOD  &  PEROT  enjoy  a  virtual  monopoly  of  the  trade.  A 
tolerable  idea  of  the  heavy  shipments  made  by  the  firm  may  be  inferred  from  the 
fact  that  two  men,  aided  by  steatn  sawing  and  slitting  machines,  are  kept  con- 
stantly employed  making  the  packing  boxes  in  which  the  Iron-work  is  sent 
abroad." 

A  branch  of  this  establishment  has  been  opened  at  New  Orleans, 
under  the  firm  of  WOOD,  MILTK.VBKRGER  &  Co.  An  extensive  ware- 
house, and  large  shops  for  finishing  Iron-work,  have  been  provided  in 
that  city — the  cheapness  of  coal  giving  the  firm  in  Philadelphia  a  great 
advantage  in  converting  the  crude  metal  into  railings,  etc.  Phila- 
delphia may  well  be  proud  of  an  establishment  that  so  worthily  up- 


EVANS  A  WATSON'S  SAFE  MANUFACTORY.          453 

holds  her  reputation  in  one  of  the  most  difficult  departments  of  the 
Manufactures  of  Iron. 

X. 

Evans  &  Watson's  Safe  Manufactory. 

It  has  been  suggested  by  a  friend  that,  in  our  previous  remarks  on 
Safes,  page  296,  we  did  not  do  full  justice  to  the  manufactories  in  this 
branch ;  first,  by  estimating  the  quantity  made  in  Philadelphia  at 
$150,000,  which,  it  is  said,  is  too  low ;  and  secondly,  in  omitting  all 
reference  to  the  oldest  and  most  extensive  establishment  of  the  kind  in 
the  State.  We  then  remarked  that  the  manufacturers  of  these  articles 
so  well  understood  the  art  of  apprising  the  public  of  their  respective 
merits,  that  our  services  were  hardly  called  for ;  but  we  are  conscious 
that  a  Treatise  like  this  would  be  very  incomplete  without  some  refer- 
ence, at  least,  to  a  manufactory  so  important  as  that  of  EVANS  &  WAJ- 
SON,  of  which  merchants  generally  throughout  the  whole  country 
have,  no  doubt,  heard  more  than  once. 

The  firm  of  EVANS  &  WATSON  commenced  the  sale  of  Salaman- 
der Fire  and  Thief  Proof  Safes  in  1843,  and  in  the  store  which 
they  now  occupy,  26  South  Fourth  street.  Both  the  members  of 
this  firm,  which  consists  of  DAVID  EVANS  and  J.  WATSON,  are  prac- 
tical mechanics,  and  have  achieved  laurels  of  which  a  mechanic  may 
always  justly  be  proud.  Since  the  date  we  have  mentioned  as 
the  period  at  which  they  commenced  business,  they  have  manufac- 
tured and  sold  over  3,000  Safes — certainly  a  much  larger  number 
than  any  other  Safe  makers  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  if  not  in 
the  United  States.  Since  that  period,  too,  their  Safes  have  passed 
through  numerous  fiery  ordeals,  designed  as  tests,  and  have  been  repeat- 
edly dug  out  of  the  ruins  occasioned  by  severe  fires,  with  which  this 
and  other  cities  have  been  visited ;  and  it  is  a  very  satisfactory,  in  fact 
an  incontrovertible  evidence  of  their  merit,  that  they  they  now  occupy 
a  higher  position  in  the  confidence  of  the  Philadelphia  public  than  at 
any  previous  period. 

But  the  manufacture  of  Safes  is  only  a  department — a  leading  and 
important  one,  but  nevertheless  only  an  item — in  the  business  of  this 
firm.  They  manufacture  yearly  vast  quantities  of  Iron  Shutters  and 
Doors  for  stores,  dwellings  and  public  buildings.  They  recently  sup- 
plied work  of  this  description,  for  the  new  Assay  Office  in  California, 
that  weighed  over  178,000  pounds ;  and  we  notice  that  a  Silver  Medal 
was  awarded  for  the  part  on  inspection  at  the  late  Exhibition  of  the 
Franklin  Institute.  When  the  last  alteration  was  made  in  the  Phila- 
delphia Mint,  of  which  we  have  elsewhere  spoken,  this  firm  furnished 
the  Iron  Shutters,  Doors  and  Sash,  which  weighed,  we  are  informed, 
37 


454  PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

188,000  pounds,  and  contributed  to  render  that  noble  and  valuable 
building  entirely  fire  proof. 

Among  the  new  things  to  which  this  firm  have  given  a  prominent 
share  of  their  attention,  is  what  they  term  Fire  and  Burglar  Proof 
Rank  Vaults  and  Safes,  secured  by  a  Patent  Alphabetical  Changeable 
Bank  Lock.  This  lock  is  susceptible  of  a  half  million  of  changes, 
defying  not  only  the  burglar's  instruments,  but  also  defying  powder. 
One  peculiarity  of  this  lock  is,  that  it  obviates  the  necessity  of  carry- 
ing a  key,  and  thus  removes  a  very  great  inconvenience.  We  are  in- 
formed that  the  new  Banks  which  have  recently  gone  into  operation  in 
Philadelphia  have  selected  these  locks  as  their  safeguard  ;  and  that,  as 
the  value  of  them  becomes  known,  the  demand  largely  increases. 

The  manufactory  of  Messrs.  EVANS  &  WATSON,  situated  at  Eighth  and 
Vine  streets,  is  a  new  one,  and  provided  with  all  requisite  and  desirable 
faeilities.  From  fifty  to  ninety  men  are  constantly  employed  in  it,  and  a 
large  steam-engine  propels  the  machinery.  At  the  factory,  and  at  their 
store  and  agencies,  nearly  two  hundred  tons,  or  about  400,000  pounds, 
of  Safes  are  kept  as  a  standing  stock,  from  which  purchasers  can  select 
such  sizes  and  styles  as  are  adapted  to  their  wants. 

As  an  additional  evidence  of  the  enterprise  of  this  firm,  we  must 
instance  the  fact,  that  they  have  established  agencies,  not  only  in  the 
chief  towns  in  Pennsylvania,  but  also  in  many  prominent  points  in  the 
South  and  West,  where  their  Safes  are  for  sale  on  the  same  terms  as  in 
this  city.  For  instance  :  in  New  Orleans,  HEATON  &  OLIVIER,  Agents  ; 
in  Columbia,  S.  C.,  L.  T.  LEVIN,  Agent ;  in  Athens,  Tenn.,  GEORGE 
W.  Ross,  Agent ;  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  JOHN  McRoRiE,  Agent ;  Selma, 
Ala.,  J.  K.  GOODWIN,  Agent ;  Baltimore,  Md.,  JAMES  0.  SPEAR  &  Co., 
Agents  ;  Mankato,  Minnesota,  PARRY  &  BROTHER,  Agents. 

XI. 

Murphy  &  Allison's  Car  Works,  1908  Market  Street. 
We  have  already  alluded  to  the  advantages  which  Philadelphia  has 
for  the  manufacture  of  Cars,  and  have  mentioned  especially  the  cheap- 
ness of  iron  and  coal,  which  are  among  the  heaviest  items  in  their  con- 
struction, and  the  facilities  for  transporting  cheaply  the  finished  goods, 
not  only  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  but  to  any  part  of  the 
world.  We  remarked  that  the  Philadelphia  shops  supplied,  not 
only  the  Passenger  and  Freight  Cars  for  the  Pennsylvania  Central 
and  North  Pennsylvania  Railroads,  which  diverge  from  this  city,  but 
have  furnished  Cars  to  more  than  fifty  of  the  railroads  in  the  United 
States,  in  the  South  and  West,  and  also  to  Cuba  and  the  British  Pro- 
vinces. The  demand  from  the  roads  in  Pennsylvania  alone,  which  is 


MURPHY  &  ALLISON'S  CAR  WORKS.  455 

second  only  to  one  other  State  in  the  number  of  miles  of  railroad  with- 
in her  limits,  must,  in  itself,  constitute  an  important  business. 

The  firm  that  has  made  the  most  important  contributions  to  the 
present  eminence  of  Philadelphia  in  this  department  of  Mechanics,  is 
that  of  MURPHY  <fe  ALLISON.  1908  Market  street.  The  members  of  this 
firm  are  among  the  oldest-established  Car  Builders  in  this  country,  and 
they  have  been  identified,  in  some  degree,  with  the  trade  almost  from 
its  initiation  into  the  rank  of  important  pursuits.  The  industrial  his- 
tory of  these  gentlemen  so  well  illustrates  certain  important  points, 
and  conveys  a  moral  which  may  be  of  advantage  to  others  commenc- 
ing a  mechanical  career,  that  we  will  tell  it,  and  pretty  much  in  th<; 
language  it  was  told  to  us.  It  will  be  found  to  illustrate  the  benefits 
resulting  from  union  of  interests  and  preservation  of  friendship,  better 
than  the  fable  of  the  bundle  of  sticks — while  it  furnishes  another  prac- 
tical demonstration  how  the  large  establishments  in  our  midst  have 
been  developed  from  very  small  beginnings  ;  and  how  mechanics,  with- 
out special  advantages,  may  improve  their  position. 

The  partners  in  the  firm  of  MURPHY  &  ALLISON  are  JOHN  MURPHY 
and  W.  C.  ALLISON.  The  former,  after  having  served  an  apprentice- 
ship to  the  blacksmithing  business,  opened  a  shop  on  Broad  street, 
below  Wood,  in  1833.  The  Rail-road  to  the  West  was  being 
completed  about  that  time,  and  his  attention  was  directed  to  furnish- 
ing iron-work  for  Cars,  and  fitting  Car-wheels  on  axles.  In  the  year 
1836,  W.  0.  ALLISON  commenced  the  wheelwright  and  coach-mak- 
ing business  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  above-mentioned  shop, 
and  the  demands  of  the  Rail-road  directed  his  attention  to  building 
and  repairing  Cars.  Having  no  blacksmith  shop,  he  was  brought  in 
contact  with  Mr.  MURPHY,  and  they  together  supplied,  not  only  the  im- 
mediate wants  of  the  time,  but  continued  their  operations,  furnishing  most 
of  the  work  for  the  large  transportation  Companies  between  Philadelphia 
and  Pittsburg,  and  for  the  West  Chester,  and  the  Germantown  and 
Norristown  Rail-road  Companies ;  in  fact,  for  many  years  they  were 
the  only  Car  Builders  within  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Upon  the 
completion  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail-road,  and  the  alteration  of  the 
State  Road,  by  which  the  terminus  was  removed  to  Market  street,  the 
two  who  had  worked  side  by  side  for  so  many  years,  formed  a  copart- 
nership in  1851,  and  put  up  their  present  shops  in  Market  street,  west 
of  Nineteenth,  where  they  have  a  capacity  equal  to  furnish  twenty-five 
Coal-cars  or  six  eight-wheeled  House-cars  per  week. 

The  Works  of  this  firm,  it  is  almost  needless  to  say,  are  provided 
with  the  machinery  and  equipments  essential  for  producing  Cars  and 
parts  of  Cars  with  the  greatest  expedition.  The  Smith  Shop  is  furnished 


450  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

with  machines  for  cutting,  punching,  and  bending  iron  to  the  re- 
quired forms  at  the  least  expense,  and  for  making  Bolts,  Nuts,  and 
Washers,  which  constitute  an  important  part  of  the  productions  of 
this  firm.  The  Wood  Shop  has  all  the  most  modern  machinery  for  re- 
ducing timber  to  the  proper  forms  for  Passenger  and  Freight  Cars  ;  and 
the  Finishing  Shop  is  replete  with  those  conveniences  which  are  essential 
to  proper  execution  in  varnishing,  upholstering,  and  painting.  The 
specimens  of  their  workmanship,  both  in  Passenger  and  Freight  Cars, 
may  be  seen  on  three  rail-roads  diverging  from  this  city,  and  also  on 
numerous  roads  in  other  States,  and  in  the  West  Indies.  We  believe 
that  Cars  of  their  construction  are  running  on  roads  that  centre  in 
Boston ;  and  that  this  firm  has  supplied  extensive  orders  from  the  New 
England  States. 

The  latest  achievements  of  Messrs.  MURPHY  &  ALLISON  have  been  in 
the  construction  of  Cars  for  the  City  Passenger  Eailways.  Foresee- 
ing the  demand  that  would  be  created  for  these  Cars,  by  the  liberal 
grants  of  charters  by  the  Legislature  to  lay  tracks  along  the  streets, 
they  set  vigorously  to  work  to  prepare  themselves  for  meeting  it,  and, 
among  other  things,  erected  a  large  and  commodious  Paint  Shop,  ad- 
joining their  former  shops,  on  the  west.  They  also  directed  their 
attention,  and  applied  the  liberal  share  of  mechanical  genius  with 
which  they  have  been  endowed,  to  the  invention  of  improvements  in 
Cars,  a  matter  in  which  they  have  been  peculiarly  successful.  One 
of  the  improvements  noticeable  in  the  cars  of  their  construction  is, 
more  head-room  by  arching  the  roof,  and  making  that  portion  which 
overhangs  the  platform  dome-shaped,  by  which  means  the  drivers  and 
conductors  are  protected  from  the  sun  and  the  storms.  They  also 
place  a  lamp  in  the  centre  of  the  roof,  which  diffuses  the  light  more 
evenly  and  uniformly  than  by  the  old  plan  ;  and  other  lamps  in  front  of 
the  overshoots,  by  which,  on  the  one  hand,  passengers  are  furnished 
with  a  better  light  in  ascending  and  descending  the  steps  ;  and,  on  the 
other,  the  drivers  have  a  better  view  of  their  horses.  These  and  other 
improvements  made  by  this  firm,  have  no  doubt  contributed  in  no  small 
degree  to  increase  the  popularity  with  which  street  Passenger  Eailways 
are  regarded  in  Philadelphia ;  and,  as  a  necessary  result,  they  have 
contributed  to  increase  their  own  business,  for  this  firm  have  already 
furnished  seventy-five  Cars  for  the  Philadelphia  Passenger  Eailways 
alone,  while  they  have  orders  for  nearly  half  as  many  more,  besides 
some  from  Boston,  Cincinnati,  and  other  cities. 

It  may  be  proper  to  add  that  in  1856,  Messrs.  MURPHY  &  ALLISON 
became  proprietors  of  the  property  known  as  the  "  Girard  Tube 
Works,"  on  the  Schuylkill,  at  Filbert-street  Wharf,  where  they  have  a 


PENNSYLVANIA  AND    LEHIGH    ZINC    COMPANY'S   WORKS.    457 

large  and  rapidly-growing  business  in  the  manufacture  of  Wrought  Iron 
Gas  Tubes,  which  have  a  high  reputation  in  the  market. 

It  is  thus  that  establishments  emerge  from  obscurity  into  importance  ; 
and  thus,  without  capital,  peculiar  advantages,  or  any  specially  favor- 
able circumstances,  mechanics  become  manufacturers,  and  by  their 
achievements  not  only  honor  themselves  and  their  craft,  but  add  to  the 
reputation  of  the  city  with  whose  prosperity  their  own  is  identified. 

XII. 

Pennsylvania  and  Lehigh  Zinc  Company's  Works.— Office  No. 
121  Walnut  St.,  Philadelphia. 

It  has  probably  been  observed  by  every  reader,  that  we  have  hither- 
to confined  our  notices  of  establishments  to  those  wholly  located  within 
the  limits  of  the  city,  the  field  thus  presented  being  ample  enough  to 
afford  full  exercise  to  whatever  industry  or  ability  we  may  possess. 
The  rule  is  one  that  we  resolved  not,  in  any  instance,  to  depart  from, 
unless  the  establishment  was  an  exceptional  and  remarkable  one,  and 
its  owners  all  or  principally  Philadelphians.  The  Pennsylvania  and 
Lehigh  Zinc  Company's  Works  come  within  this  exception,  all  the 
Directors  and  most  of  the  stockholders  being  Philadelphians,  and  the 
principal  office  being  located  in  this  city. 

This  Company,  of  which  we  have  just  spoken,  was  incorporated  by 
the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  May  22,  1855.  It  owns  in  fee  simple 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  near  the  village  of  Friedensville, 
four  miles  south  of  Bethlehem,  iu  Saucon  Valley,  Lehigh  County,  on 
which  is  their  valuable  Zinc  Mine,  which  has  been  continuously  worked 
for  about  six  years,  and  has  yielded  within  that  period  some  forty 
thousand  tons  of  ore.  At  the  present  time,  immense  quantities  of  ore 
are  visible  in  this  Mine,  which  has,  as  yet,  been  opened  only  to  the  ex- 
tent of  about  one  acre,  and  to  the  depth  of  thirty-five  feet.  Various 
shafts,  however,  have  been  sunk  by  the  Company  on  the  land,  and 
prove  that  the  Zinc  deposit  extends  over  a  large  area  of  it ;  while 
recent  borings  to  a  depth  of  113  feet  also  prove,  beyond  doubt,  that 
the  deposit  continues  downward  at  least  that  distance  ;  and,  by  com- 
parison with  similar  mines  in  Europe,  now  worked  for  many  years,  we 
may  say  it  is  probable  the  ore  continues  to  a  depth  of  several  hundred 
feet.  Upon  this  property  is  situated  the  washing  and  pumping  ma- 
chinery of  the  Company,  which  is  driven  by  steam-power. 

The  Company  also  owns  a  very  extensive  establishment,  built  of 

brick,  for  the    manufacture  of  Zinc  Oxide,  having  the  capacity   of 

twenty-five  hundred  tons  per  annum.      This  is  situated  opposite  to 

the  town  of  Bethlehem,  on  the  Lehigh  Valley  Railroad,  by  which,  as 

37* 


458  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

well  as  by  the  Lehigh  Canal,  the  product  is  transported  to  New 
York  and  Philadelphia — coal  is  brought  to  it  by  both  of  these  means 
of  conveyance  from  Mauch  Chunk,  distant  twenty-five  miles. 

The  Company  also  has,  in  Bethlehem,  complete  works  for  the  manu- 
facture of  barrels  and  casks,  where  all  the  barrels,  etc.,  required  for 
packing  their  Oxide  are  made,  the  water-power  of  the  Canal  being 
used  to  drive  the  machinery.  Adjoining  these  is  a  Paint  Mill,  for  grind- 
ing the  dry  oxide  and  converting  it  into  paint,  the  same  power  being 
used  as  at  the  barrel  works. 

In  addition  to  the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  first-named,  the  Com- 
pany owns  the  mineral  rights  in  an  extensive  tract  adjoining. 

The  Company  manufactures  Oxide  of  Zinc  of  a  very  superior  quality, 
more  nearly  approaching  the  French,  it  is  said,  than  any  other  made  in 
America ;  and  large  quantities  of  paints,  branded  and  sold  as  "  French 
Zinc  Paint,"  are  made  by  grinders  from  this  oxide.  The  superior 
quality  of  their  oxide  is  due  in  part  to  the  several  valuable  patent 
rights  which  they  own. 

No  Zinc  property  in  the  United  States  can  compare  in  point  of  loca- 
tion with  that  belonging  to  this  Company,  whether  regarded  with 
reference  to  its  proximity  to  coal,  or  its  facilities  for  being  reached  by 
rail-road  and  canal,  or  its  wonderful  advantages  of  cheap  mining. 

The  Company,  we  understand,  have  under  consideration  the  erection 
of  works  for  the  manufacture  of  Zinc  Metal,  commonly  known  as 
Spelter — a  series  of  experiments  in  this  manufacture  having  been  satis- 
factorily concluded.  At  present,  all  the  spelter  used  in  the  United 
States  is  obtained  from  Europe,  amounting  to  more  than  ten  thousand 
tons  per  annum. 

XIII. 

Arthur,  Burnham,  &  Oilroy's  Manufactory  of  Patent  Articles. 
This  establishment,  to  which  we  have  already  incidentally  alluded, 
is  in  many  respects  a  remarkable  one ;  remarkable  in  its  character — 
for  the  enterprise  of  its  proprietors,  and  remarkable  for  its  rapid 
success.  There  is  no  other  similar  one  in  the  city,  and  we  know  of 
none  in  the  United  States.  The  object  of  the  house,  if  we  understand 
it,  is  to  manufacture  exclusively  novel  articles  of  unquestionable  value, 
and  the  monopoly  of  which  is  secured  by  patent  right.  The  firm  com- 
menced business  in  the  spring  of  1855,  with  the  single  article  of  "  Ar- 
thur's Patent  Self-sealing  Fruit  Cans  and  Jars,"  and,  in  doing  so, 
inaugurated  a  new  era  in  domestic  economy.  The  old,  health-destroy- 
ing sweetmeats  were  soon  largely  superseded,  and  fresh  fruit  in  winter 
took  their  places  in  the  pantries  and  on  the  tables  of  good  housekeepers 


ARTHUR,    BTJRNHAM,    A    GILROY'S    MANUFACTORY.       459 

Knowing  that  the  article  they  were  introducing  to  the  public  was 
exactly  what  they  represented  it  to  be,  they  did  not  hesitate  to  throw 
into  the  work  of  its  introduction,  the  full  amount  of  spirit,  energy,  and 
perseverance  necessary  to  success.  This  came  as  a  certain  result ;  and 
now  the  sale  of  this  article,  we  are  informed,  is  at  the  large  average 
of  nearly  two  hundred  thousand  vessels  annually.  Over  half  a  million 
found  their  way  to  the  public  within  three  years  after  their  first  in- 
troduction. 

After  the  Self-sealing  Cans  and  Jars  were  fairly  before  the  people, 
the  young  firm  turned  their  attention  to  other  articles,  but  confined 
themselves  to  such  as  were  patented,  and  which  they  believed  to  be 
of  general  utility,  and  in  advance  of  all  appliances  in  the  same  line. 
At  the  beginning  they  adopted  a  shrewd,  energetic,  liberal  system  of 
advertising,  which  soon  drew  upon  them  the  eyes  of  merchants  and 
consumers ;  but  it  differed  from  what  is  ordinarily  termed  "  puffing," 
in  the  fact  that  they  made  it  a  rule  to  say  nothing  about  the  articles 
they  manufactured  which  their  use  and  -quality  did  not  fully  warrant. 
What  they  did  say,  however,  they  said  with  an  emphasis ;  and  often 
chose  novel  modes  of  attracting  public  attention — with  full  confidence 
and  conviction  that  if  indifferent,  worthless,  or  even  injurious  articles 
could  be  largely  sold  by  means  of  "  taking  advertisements,"  good  and 
useful  articles  ought,  by  all  means,  to  have  the  benefit  of  a  system  by 
which,  as  experience  had  proved,  the  public  could  be  most  certainly 
reached. 

Among  the  articles  introduced  by  ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  the 
history  of  one  is  so  remarkable  that  we  deem  it  worthy  of  special 
notice.  We  refer  to  the  well-known  "  Old  Dominion  Coffee  Pot," 
which  was  patented  by  a  Virginian  in  1856,  and  remained  compara- 
tively unknown  to  the  public  for  nearly  two  years,  during  which  time 
the  inventor  was  successful  in  disposing  of  only  about  three  hundred. 
Having  faith  in  its  intrinsic  excellence,  the  Patentees  made  various 
attempts  to  induce  leading  houses  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and 
Baltimore,  to  engage  in  its  manufacture  and  sale,  but  met  with  dis- 
couragement or  indifference  from  all  to  whom  the  matter  was  intro- 
duced. Finally,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  which  we 
are  speaking,  while  on  a  business  visit  to  Virginia,  met  the  Patentees, 
and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  examined  the  new  Coffee  Pot.  He  at  once 
saw  its  value,  and  the  result  was  a  negotiation  for  the  sole  right  to 
manufacture  and  sell  it.  Terms  were  soon  agreed  upon ;  a  contract 
drawn  up  and  signed,  and  then  the  work  of  introduction  began  in  good 
earnest.  This,  be  it  remembered,  was  at  a  time  when  the  panic  of 
1857  was  at  its  height,  and  business  in  the  lowest  state  of  depression. 


460  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

But  they  knew  that  this  novel  Coffee  Pot  possessed  a  virtue  which, 
when  once  known  to  the  community,  would  render  it  a  universal 
favorite ;  that  it  was  just  the  article  which  coffee-drinkers  had  been  in 
search  of  since  coffee  became  a  household  luxury ;  and  so,  while  thou- 
sands were  idle  and  desponding  around  them,  they  were  vigorously  at 
the  work  of  bringing  it  into  notice. 

The  public  need  scarcely  be  informed  of  the  result.  At  the  close  of 
the  year  1858,  not  beyond  fifteen  months  from  the  day  the  contract 
with  the  Patentees  was  signed,  over  thirty-three  thousand  of  the  "  Old 
Dominion"  had  been  sold ;  and  this,  be  it  remembered,  during  a 
season  of  depression  in  trade  such  as  the  country  had  not  known  for 
twenty  years.  There  is  not,  perhaps,  in  the  history  of  trade,  an  instance 
in  which  any  new  article  has  attained  so  wide  a  popularity  in  so  short 
a  time. 

From  the  smallest  of  beginnings  in  1855,  the  business  of  this  estab- 
lishment has  grown  into  an  extent  and  importance  that  Philadelphians 
must  recognize  with  pride  arid  pleasure.  The  cash  system  was  adopted 
in  the  outset,  and  has  never  been  departed  from.  It  is  found  to  work 
in  all  respects  satisfactorily. 

We  desire  to  repeat — for  it  contains  a  moral — the  secret  which  has 
given  Messrs.  ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROT,  such  a  strong  hold  on 
public  confidence. — They  introduce  no  article  that  is  not  one  of  decided 
utility  ;  and  make  it  a  point  to  affirm  nothing  in  their  advertisements 
that  is  not  strictly  true.  As  before  remarked,  they  believe  that  if  a 
bad  article  can  be  sold  by  a  vigorous  system  of  pushing  and  advertis- 
ing, much  more  so  a  good  one ;  and  herein  lies  the  secret  of  their  great 
success.  It  is  now  only  necessary  for  them  to  say  that  an  article  is 
good,  for  the  public  to  have  faith  in  its  quality.  If  they  indorse  it,  few 
raise  the  cry  of  "  humbug."  A  reputation  like  this  is  a  sure  fortune  ! 

By  reference  to  the  Index  to  Contents,  it  will  be  seen  what  other 
articles  the  firm  of  ARTHUR,  BURNHAM,  &  GILROY  manufacture.  Their 
establishment  is  at  117  and  119  South  Tenth  street. 

XIV 

West  Philadelphia  Manufacturing  Company's  Starch  Works. 
Since  this  Book  was  first  presented  to  the  public,  the  industrial  im- 
portance of  Philadelphia  has  been  increased  by  the  addittion  of  several 
new  and  importantant  manufactures — among  others,  the  West  Phila- 
delphia Manufacturing  Company  has  been  organized,  and  has  com- 
menced operations  in  the  manufacture,  on  a  large  scale,  of  a  superior 
quality  of  Corn  Starch  and  Farina.  The  facilities  which  this  Com- 
pany has  for  supplying  an  extensive  demand  for  its  manufactures,  may 


WEST    PHILADELPHIA    COMPANY'S    STARCH   WORKS.     461 

be  inferred  from  the  following  description  of  their  Works,  which  we 
condense  from  one  more  in  detail,  recently  published  in  the  North 
American  and  United  States  Gazette : 

The  grounds  of  this  Company  have  three  hundred  and  thirty-two 
feet  of  frontage  on  Chestnut  street,  the  same  on  Oak  street,  and  two 
hundred  feet  on  Bridgewater  street.  There  are  three  horizontal  steam 
engines  for  grinding  the  corn,  pumping  water,  mixing  the  materials, 
etc.,  etc.,  and  these  are  respectively  of  sixty,  ten,  and  six-horse  power. 
Water  for  the  entire  operations  of  these  Works  is  supplied  by  a  well 
fifty  feet  in  depth,  and  sixteen  feet  in  diameter,  yielding  sixteen  thou- 
sand barrels  of  water  daily.  This,  although  exceedingly  pure  and  good 
spring  water,  superior  for  manufacturing  purposes  to  that  of  the  river, 
is  forced  by  two  pumps  through  pipes  of  six  and  five  inches  in  diame- 
ter, into  a  large  reservoir  eighteen  feet  in  depth,  for  additional  purifi- 
cation. There  are  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  eighteen  cisterns,  or 
vats,  in  which  the  corn  is  soaked  in  alkaline  liquid,  etc.,  of  which  one 
hundred  are  for  the  Starch,  and  eighteen  for  Farina.  For  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  chemicals  a  building  is  specially  set  apart.  After  being  thor- 
oughly soaked,  the  corn  is  repeatedly  ground  by  machinery  ;  and  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  process,  all  the  Starch,  gluten  and  refuse,  are  effect- 
ually separated.  The  Starch  is  passed  into  the  next  process,  which  is 
that  of  mixing  in  huge  cisterns  by  machinery.  The  refuse  is  sold  to 
farmers  and  drovers  as  food  for  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is  very  greatly  in 
demand.  The  remaining  operations  consist  in  expelling  the  water, 
solidifying,  drying,  etc.,  which  require  a  great  deal  of  space,  many 
hands,  and  much  machinery.  The  whole  process  requires  about  three 
weeks.  These  Works  have  a  capacity  for  producing  eighteen  thou- 
sand pounds  of  Starch  and  over  a  ton  of  Farina  daily ;  or  in  other 
words,  consuming  about  eight  hundred  bushels  of  corn  per  day. 

The  quality  of  the  products,  it  would  appear,  is  not  less  remarkable 
than  the  Works.  The  Franklin  Institute,  at  their  last  exhibition, 
awarded  the  premium  of  a  silver  medal  to  the  West  Philadelphia 
Manufacturing  Company's  Starch,  giving  it  preference  over  all  com- 
petitors, including  several  large  firms  from  other  States.  All  our 
principal  Grocers  in  this  city,  Merchants  in  New  York,  Boston, 
and  the  entire  South  and  West,  are  confirming  this  award  by  their 
patronage ;  and  we  have  heard  good  judges  express  the  opinion  that 
this  Starch  has  no  superior  in  those  qualities  for  which  an  article  of 
this  description  is  chiefly  valued.  We  are  assured  that  no  deleterious 
drugs  are  used  to  whiten  it ;  and  that  the  strength,  purity,  and  sweet- 
ness for  which  it  is  noted,  are  due  to  the  pure  spring  water  with  which 
the  Factory  is  provided. 

Among  the  proprietors  or  stockholders  of  this  Company  are  some 


462  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

of  the  leading  merchants  and  manufacturers  of  the  city.  The  officers 
are  men  of  energy,  and  extensive  mercantile  and  mechanical  experi- 
ence, the  President  being  WILLIAM  D.  PARRISH,  Esq.,  and  the  Super- 
intendent, ALEXANDER  MILLER,  a  Prussian,  having  twenty  years  experi- 
ence, in  Europe  and  America,  in  the  manufacture  of  Starch  and  Fa- 
rina. The  Philadelphia  agents  for  the  sale  of  the  products  are  the 
•well-known  house  of  THOMPSON,  CLARKE  &  YOUNG,  132  South  Front 
Street.  With  such  facilities,  managers  and  agents — with  such  care  in 
the  processes — and  determination  to  deserve  success,  this  Company 
would  seem  to  be  destined  to  a  prosperous  future :  and  we  hope  it  will 
meet  with  the  encouragement  and  support  to  which  the  importance  of 
the  enterprise  and  the  excellence  of  its  products  unquestionably  en- 
title it. 

XIV. 

Bennett  &  Co.'s  Clothing  Manufactory. 

We  have  been  advised  by  friendly  critics  that  as  we  have  shown,  in 
the  first  edition  of  this  work,  that  the  manufacture  of  Clothing  is  a 
very  important  branch  of  the  industrial  pursuits  of  this  city,  it  would 
be  eminently  proper  to  give  a  description  of  some  leading  establish- 
ment as  representative  of  the  trade.  As  we  then  remarked,  the  large 
Clothing  Houses  are  very  much  alike,  and,  in  general,  wanting  in  those 
salient  features  that  render  a  description  interesting ;  but  public 
attention  has  recently  been  so  much  directed  to  the  Clothing  Mann- 
factory  of  Messrs.  BENNETT  &  Co.,  that  we  have  commissioned  a  com- 
petent Reporter  to  visit  it,  and  describe  the  edifice,  the  mode  of  con- 
ducting business,  and  the  results  of  his  inspection  in  general.  His 
description  is  as  follows  : 

Bennett's  Mammoth  Tower  Hall  Clothing  Bazaar,  as  it  is  popularly  termed, 
is  owned  by  JOSKPH  M.  BENNETT,  and  occupied  by  BENNETT  A  Co.  It  is  located 
on  Market  street,  the  widest  business  thoroughfare  in  our  city,  and  destined, 
after  the  removal  of  the  market  sheds,  to  be  the  Broadway  of  Philadelphia.  The 
edifice  is  five  stories  in  height,  surmounted  with  a  castellated  tower,  the  most 
elevated  point  of  which  is  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet  above  the  ground.  It 
is  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  deep,  with  two  fronts — one  on  Market  and 
one  on  Minor  street.  The  Market  street  front  is  entirely  of  granite,  in  the 
Norman  style  of  architecture,  with  circular-headed  windows  deeply  recessed. 

Over  the  entire  entrance  to  the  first  story  is  a  bay  window,  supported  by  a  mas- 
sive bracket,  composed  of  suits  of  mouldings ;  and  on  each  side  is  a  balcony,  fin- 
ished on  each  party  line  with  octagon  turrets.  It  has  a  lofty  tower  in  two  sec- 
tions— the  first  is  rectangular,  about  twenty  feet  high,  and  capped  with  battle- 
ments and  turrets  on  the  angles;  the  upper  section,  of  thirty  feet,  is  an  octagon 
figure,  capped  also  with  battlements.  A  light  spiral  stairway  leads  from  the  fifth 
story  up  into  the  tower. 


BENNETT  '&   CO.'S   CLOTHING   MANUFACTORY.  463 

Upon  entering  one  of  the  three  main  doors  of  the  front  entrance,  the  visitor 
finds  himself  in  a  vestibule  of  Gothic  style,  laid  with  marble  flagging,  and  beau- 
tifully ornamented.  A  few  addittional  steps  lead  to  the  main  room  of  the  build- 
ing. The  first  thing  that  strikes  attention,  and  compares  favorably  with  the 
usual  darkness  of  such  establishments,  is  the  abundance  of  light  that  falls  through 
three  enormous  skylights.  Upon  either  side  of  the  main  room,  except  where  the 
staircase  interferes,  are  show-cases,  divided  with  triple  columns,  with  rolling 
glass-doors. 

In  the  semicircular  tops  of  these  are  busts  of  distinguished  statesmen  and  poets. 
Tastily-designed  stands  also  occupy  the  space.  The  whole  of  this  room  is  used  as 
a  Salesroom,  except  the  space  required  for  the  general  office  at  the  Minor-street 
front.  The  Cashier's  office  is  partitioned  off  in  the  centre  on  the  eastern  side, 
and  fitted  up  with  mahogany  desks  and  every  convenience. 

Immediately  in  the  centre  of  the  building,  and  running  the  entire  height,  is  a 
spiral  staircase  of  great  width  and  the  most  elaborate  workmanship.  The  railing 
is  of  solid  mahogany,  and  most  massive.  Viewed  from  the  top  or  bottom,  the  as- 
pect presented  is  magnificent. 

The  archings  and  angles  of  the  ceiling  throughout  are  richly  ornamented.  The 
skylight  openings  through  the  different  stories  are  enclosed  in  each  with  heavy 
mahogany  railing  and  primitive  turned  bannisters,  while  the  first  floor  under 
them  is  laid  with  plate-glass  so  as  to  give  light  to  the  cellar. 

In  its  details  the  second  floor  equals  if  not  exceeds  the  first.  There  are  in  this 
apartment  twenty-five  cases,  of  a  style  and  decoration  similar  to  those  below, 
containing  clothing  of  every  possible  description. 

On  the  rear  of  the  third  and  fourth  stories,  are  partitioned  off  private  rooms.  The 
partitions  are  sash,  in  the  same  general  style  as  the  building.  A  stairway  is  on  th<? 
rear,  for  the  use  of  Minor  street,  and  that  front  has  a  granite  basement,  and  all  above 
ornamental  brick-work.  About  eight  hundred  hands,  on  the  average,  are  employed 
in  the  manufacture  of  Clothing  in  and  out  of  the  house ;  and  as  they  are  employed 
the  year  round,  the  proprietors  always  have,  what  steady  work  commands,  the  best ; 
and  are  not  obliged,  like  those  who  employ  hands  periodically,  to  take  whoever  may 
orfer,  or  go  without.  It  is  urged  by  some,  as  an  argument  against  a  large  estab- 
lishment, that  to  support  it  the  profit  must  be  large ;  but  the  argument  is  void  of 
reason.  It  is  well  known  that  all  men  in  business  have  more  or  less  expense  in 
conducting  it,  and  that  expense,  whatever  it  may  be,  must  be  met  with  the  pro- 
fits. If  therefore  a  man's  expenses  are  ten  dollars  per  day,  and  he  has  but  two 
customers,  be  must  make  five  dollars  on  each  of  them  in  order  to  make  himself 
whole;  but  if  his  neighbor's  expenses  are  one  hundred  dollars  per  day,  and  he 
has  one  thousand  customers,  then  ten  cents  made  on  each  man  will  meet  the  ex- 
penses. "  LARGE  SALKS  AND  SHALL  PROFITS"  has  ever  been  the  guiding  maxim 
with  BENNETT,  and  this  explains  why  such  unbounded  patronage  has  been  be- 
stowed upon  Tower  Hall  by  a  discriminating  public. 

The  proprietors  buy  on  the  best  terms,  directly  from  first  hands,  and  pay  no 
double  or  triple  profits,  while  their  long  experience  enables  them  to  select  dur- 
able fabrics  and  manufacture  them  economically,  and  at  the  same  time,  with  an 
eye  to  their  durability,  knowing  that  well-made  Clothing  is  always  presenting  a 
silent  but  impressive  argument,  which  the  wise  and  prudent  cannot  resist 

Having  WHOLESALE  AND  RETAIL  DEPARTMENTS,  the  proprietors  have  therefore 


464  PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

gained  an  experience  which  a  dealer  who  wholesales  exclusively  can  never  ac- 
quire. The  wholesale  house  which  has  no  retail  trade  will  manufacture  goods 
year  after  year,  instructed  only  by  fashion  plates  and  patterns. 

BENNETT  &  Co.,  on  the  contrary,  by  the  thousands  of  customers  in  their  retail 
departments,  are  instructed  how  far  the  theories  of  the  business  may  be  judici- 
ously carried  out  in  practice.  They  are  counseled  by  the  various  tastes  of  their 
hosts  of  patrons,  and  "in  the  multitude  of  counselors  there  is  safety."  Their 
patterns  are  the  "  human  forms  divine."  They  are  day  after  day  measuring  and 
fitting  garments;  and  by  an  experience  thus  gained  are  enabled  to  furnish  their 
wholesale  patrons  with  an  assortment  so  averaged  in  sizes  as  to  insure  them  com- 
plete success  in  the^uiting  and  fitting  of  their  customers.  So  true  is  this,  we  are 
told,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  day,  but  that  some  dealer  declares  to  them  that  one  of 
the  strongest  inducements  to  purchase  at  Tower  Hall  is  the  fact  that  their  Cloth- 
ing is  always  sure  to  fit.  They  have  a  distinct  department  for  the  purpose  of 
manufacturing  GARMENTS  TO  ORDER,  in  which  they  collect  in  the  course  of  a  year 
thousands  of  actual  measurements — all  of  vast  importance  in  getting  up  a  stock 
for  the  wholesale  trade.  They  employ  no  drummers,  but  use  freely  printer's  ink; 
presenting  wholesome  truths,  which  may  be  tested  by  any  Clothing  dealer  who 
visits  the  establishment.  BENNETT'S  TOWER  HALL,  from  its  business  arrange- 
ments, may  justly  be  considered  the  model  Clothing  House. 

In  the  article  on  Clothing,  we  incidentally  alluded  to  the  fact  that 
Messrs.  BENNETT  &  Co.  "  keep  a  poet."  The  Bard  of  Tower  Hall,  Mr. 
LEWIS  DELA,  is  unquestionably  a  bard  of  great  and  sterling  merit ;  and  if 
Messrs.  BENNETT  &,  Co.  clothe  their  patrons — and  we  have  no  doubt  they 
do — as  well  as  their  poet  clothes  his  ideas,  we  do  not  wonder  that  mil- 
lions patronize  their  establishment.  From  the  many  good  things  writ- 
ten by  Mr.  Dela,  we  select  the  following  in  confirmation  of  our  asser- 
tion, and  because  its  sentiments  tending,  as  they  do,  to  exalt  honest 
labor,  find  an  appropriate  place  in  this  volume  on  Manufactures,  at 
least  more  so  than  they  would  in  our  Legal  Adviser: 

LAW  VERSUS  SAW. 
Once  a  sawyer,  sawing  wood, 
By  a  lawyer's  office  stood, 

And  the  twain 

I  was  watching  as  they  wrought, 
And  there  passed  a  train  of  thought 

Through  my  brain. 

On  the  lawyer's  anxious  face 
I  could  read  a  knotty  case, 

Needing  law ; 

While  the  sawyer,  gaunt  and  grim, 
On  a  rough  and   knotty  limb 

Ran  his  saw. 

Now,  the  saw-horse  seemed  to  me 
Like  a  double  X — a  fee — 


BENNETT    &    CO.'S   CLOTHING   MANUFACTORY.  465 

And  the  saw — 

Which,  whenever  it  was  thrust, 
Must  be  followed  by  the  dutt— 

Like  the  law. 

And  the  log  upon  the  rack, 
Like  a  client  on  the  track, 

Played  its  part 

As  the  tempered  teeth  of  steel 
Made  a  wound  that  would  not  heal 

Through  the  heart. 

And  each  severed  stick  that  fell, 
In  its  falling  seemed  to  tell, 

Ah,  too  plain, 
Of  the  many  severed  ties 
That  in  lawsuits  may  arise, 

Causing  pain. 

But  the  man  with  sturdy  jiew, 
Who  was  using  axe  and  saw 

On  the  wood, 

Though  he  boasted  not  of  wealth, 
Made  his  gains  in  strength  and  health, 

Doing  good. 

If  the  chips  that  strewed  the  ground, 
By  some  stricken  widow  found, 

In  her  need, 

Should,  by  light  or  warmth,  impart 
Any  pleasure  to  her  heart, 

Blessed  deed ! 

This  conclusion  then  I  draw, 
That  no  exercise  of  jaw, 
Twisting  India-rubber  law, 

Is  as  good 

As  the  exercise  of  paw, 
When  the  healthy  muscles  draw 
On  the  handle  of  a  saw, 

Sawing  wood. 

Yet  we  cannot  all  saw  wood ; 
And  we  would  not  if  we  could ; 
This  is  plainly  understood, 

As  we  know; 

But  at  Bennett's  Tower  Hall, 
Lo,  the  millions,  short  and  tall, 
Buy  their  Clothing,  one  and  all, 

Very  low ! 

38 


466  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

XV. 
Lewis  Thompson  &  Co.'s  Steam  Turning  and  Sawing  Mills. 

We  have  already  stated  that  this  establishment  is  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  of  its  kind  in  the  country.  It  is  remarkable  both  for  the 
superior  character  of  its  Machinery,  some  of  it  not  to  be  found  in  any 
similar  manufactory  in  the  United  States,  and  for  the  variety  of  its 
departments,  and  the  superior  quality  of  its  productions.  With  regard 
to  the  latter,  our  Reporter  has  furnished  the  following  remarks. 

BUILDERS'  GOODS. — We  were  taken  to  one  portion  of  the  works  occupied  entirely 
by  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  STAIR  BALUSTERS,  NEWEL  POSTS,  FANCY 
BRACKETS,  Ac.,  Ac.,  and"  these  are  made  in  almost  endless  variety  of  size  and  style, 
and  of  every  description  of  material ;  some  of  the  Balusters  being  very  richly 
carved,  and  so  on  down  to  the  plainest  and  cheapest  descriptions  of  these  useful 
articles.  The  same  remarks  will  apply  to  their  variety  of  Newel  Posts  and  Fancy 
Brackets,  and  Scroll  Work  for  cornices,  verandahs,  Ac.  We  suppose  that  archi- 
tects, carpenters,  builders,  and  contractors  would  find  it  a  very  difficult  matter  to 
find  a  similar  establishment  in  the  country,  where  their  wants  and  requirements 
could  be  so  readily  and  promptly  supplied.  Every  description  of  this  kind  of 
work  which  cabinet-makers  and  carpenters  have  not  the  facilities  for  doing  to  ad- 
vantage, is  got  out  with  dispatch. 

FURNITURE  DEPARTMENT. — Another,  and  very  large  portion  of  their  Works  are 
almost  entirely  devoted  to  the  manufacturing  of  FANCT  FURNITURE  (in  the  white) 
for  the  trade.  In  this  department  are  employed  a  very  large  number  of  workmen, 
and  we  were  shown  some  fifty  different  patterns  of  Sofa  and  Pier  Tables,  many 
of  them  most  richly  and  elaborately  carved;  fancy  Wash-Stands,  Etageres,  Hat 
Hacks,  Extension  Tables,  &c.,  &c. — indeed,  we  shall  not  attempt  even  to  name 
the  different  articles  manufactured  in  this  branch  of  their  business.  We 
will  say,  however,  that  we  have  been  assured  that  those  goods  are  all  made  with 
great  care,  and  in  the  very  best  manner,  in  Rosewood,  Mahogany,  and  Walnut; 
and,  of  course,  are  offered  to  the  trade  (to  whom  they  are  exclusively  sold)  at 
prices  much  below  the  cost  of  manufacturing  by  cabinet-makers,  who  have  not  the 
aid  and  appliances  of  the  extensive  and  unique  machinery  which  these  gentlemen 
have  in  use. 

MARBLE  DEPARTMENT. — In  still  another  portion  of  this  establishment  we  were 
ehown  four  large  frames,  each  containing  from  twenty  to  thirty  saws,  and  each 
frame  covering  a  huge  block  of  Italian  Marble,  which  the  saws  were  slicing  up 
into  slabs,  as  though  they  were  so  much  wood.  This  department  alone  is  well  worth 
a  visit  from  the  curious,  and  from  persons  who  admire  the  operations  of  fine  ma- 
chinery. We  noticed  here  the  pure  white  Statuary  Marble,  as  well  as  the  deli- 
cately-veined Italian,  with  several  varieties  of  Lisbon,  Broccatella,  Sienna,  Irish 
Black,  Egyptian,  and  Tennessee.  After  being  here  sawed  up  into  slabs  of  requisite 
thicknesses,  these  are  taken  to  another  portion  of  the  premises,  where  skillful  work- 
men are  engaged  in  cutting  and  fashioning  them,  for  Table  Tope  and  similar  uses, 
for  which  purposes  alone  this  branch  of  their  business  is  exclusively  confined. 

LUMBER  DEPARTMENT. — In  addition  to  their  factories,  these  gentlemen  deal  also 


REED'S  MANUFACTORY  OF  BUILDING  MATERIALS.     467 

very  largely  in  all  descriptions  of  Hard  Woods — usually  denominated  "Albany 
Lumber."  Their  Lumber  Yards  occupy  three  squares  of  ground,  and  are  filled 
with  an  immense  quantity  of  choice  and  rare  woods;  consisting  of  Walnut,  Cherry, 
Ash,  Maple,  and  Cedar,  of  every  variety  of  thickness ;  as  well  as  Rotewood  and 
Mahogany,  in  the  logs,  and  cnt  to  all  sizes.  We  noticed  here  a  log  of  Mahogany 
forty-nine  inches  wide !  the  largest,  we  believe,  ever  brought  to  this  country.  The 
most  of  this  lumber  is  of  their  own  direct  importation  and  manufacture;  and  they 
are  thus  enabled  to  supply  orders  with  much  promptness  and  dispatch. 

The  proprietors  are  gentlemanly  and  courteous  to  strangers;  and  it  is  a  pleasure 
to  invite  the  especial  attention  of  all  likely  to  be  interested  to  such  an  establish 
ment 

XVI. 
Abel  Reed's  Manufactory  of  Building  Materials. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  in  no  branch  of  manufacture  does  the  ap- 
plication of  labor-saving  machinery  produce,  by  simple  means,  more  im- 
portant results  than  in  the  working  of  Wood.  It  was  our  misfortune  to  be 
compelled  to  defer  any  minute  consideration  of  the  wonderful  machines 
that  are  in  operation  in  the  various  Wood-working  Establishments  of 
Philadelphia ;  but,  as  a  partial  compensation,  we  would  recommend 
those  who  take  an  interest  in  the  subject  to  visit  the  establishment  of 
ABEL  REED,  on  Marshall  Street,  above  Girard  Avenue.  Mr.  Reed  is 
one  of  the  oldest  established  Wood-workers  in  the  city.  He  commenced 
business  some  twenty-eight  years  ago,  when  those  wonderful  Planing 
and  Moulding  and  Turning  Machines  of  modern  times  were  unknown. 
He  was  among  the  very  first  to  introduce  improved  machinery  into  the 
business ;  and  was  one  of  those  who  were  compelled  to  encounter  the 
odium  which  was  meted  out  to  pioneers,  and  to  endure  the  reproaches  of 
journeymen  whom  it  was  supposed  machinery  would  injure.  The  zeal 
which  he  manifested  in  behalf  of  improved  machinery  designated  him 
as  a  suitable  person  to  act  as  agent  of  the  manufacturers  of  such  ma- 
chinery ;  and  in  this  capacity  he  has  supplied  a  greater  part  of  thf 
machines  which  are  in  use  in  the  wood-working  establishments  of  this 
city  and  the  South.  In  his  manufactory  may  at  all  times  be  seen  a 
greater  variety  of  remarkable  machines  for  this  purpose  than  can  prob- 
ably be  seen  anywhere  else  south  of  New  England.  Our  reporter  states : 
"Here  we  saw  in  operation  Gray  &  WbocFs  Planer,  which  is  adapted  for 
all  kinds  of  Shop  Planing,  and  will  plane  6,000  feet  per  day ;  Fay  & 
Co.'s,  and  Ball  &  Ballard's  Tenoning  Machines,  for  all  kinds  of  Tenoning, 
Coping,  &c.,  and  which  will  do  the  work  of  ten  men ;  also  Sash  and 
Moulding  Machines  of  the  same  makers,  which  will  turn  out  5,000  feet 
of  ordinary  moulding  per  day ;  and  Power  Mortising  Machines,  for  doors, 
making  two  hundred  cuts  per  minute ;  and  Foot  Mortising  Machines, 

37 


468  PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 

for  sash,  &c.,  every  one  of  which  will  do  the  work  of  three  men  ;  Scroll 
Saws,  for  brackets  and  all  kinds  of  scroll-work ;  and  Circular  Saws,  for 
squaring  and  ripping.  But  probably  the  most  remarkable  of  all  the 
machines  was  the  Circular  Moulding,  or  Upright  Shaping  Machine,  adapt- 
ed for  any  kind  of  circular  work,  or  for  any  irregular  cutting  on  the  in- 
side or  outside  of  any  crooked  work  requiring  to  be  neatly  smoothed. 
It  may  be  made  to  work  in  any  circle,  from  two  inches  and  upward." 

Mr.  Reed,  by  means  of  his  improved  machinery,  is  enabled  to  supply 
Builders  throughout  the  United  States  with  Doors,  Frames,  Sash,  Blinds, 
Shutters,  Mouldings,  &c.,  cheaper  than  they  can  make  them  in  their 
own  workshops,  unless  they  possess  similar  facilities. 

,«&hd*aJE  snifili/rE  'to  vrotojslwrsli  a'fideH  MA   ' . 


'.   JiK.fi 


INDEX   TO  CONTENTS. 


A  COMPLETE  ALPHABETICAL  LIST 

OF 

ALL  ARTICLES  NOW  MADE  IN  PHILADELPHIA, 

WITH  THE 

ADDEESS  OF  ONE  OR  MORE  MANUFACTURERS  OF  EACH. 


lfi&~  THIS  LTST  is  intended  to  serve  a  double  or  triple  purpose,  as  stated  in  thn 
caption ;  but  primarily  we  design  to  inform  our  readers  what  articles  are  made  t» 
this  city,  and  incidentally  to  give  the  address  of  one  or  more  manufacturers  of 
each.  This  list,  as  respects  articles,  is  far  more  minute  than  any  ever  before  pub- 
lished; but  the  multitude  embraced  in  the  terms  Philosophical  Instruments, 
Hardware,  Tinware,  Housekeeping  articles,  Chemicals,  and  others,  compelled  us  to 
make  a  selection  of  the  more  important.  As  respects  manufacturers,  it  would 
afford  us  pleasure  to  give  the  name  of  every  maker  opposite  to  every  article  he 
produces ;  but,  inasmuch  as  the  products  of  a  single  establishment  are  often  ex- 
ceedingly numerous  and  diverse, — in  one  instance,  as  we  stated,  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  distinct  articles  are  made  by  one  individual, — it  is  quite  obvious  that  the 
repetition  of  names  resulting  from  the  adoption  of  such  a  plan  would  defeat  the 
object  of  this  book,  by  making  it  voluminous  and  unwieldy.  We  do  not  design 
to  make  a  Directory,  and  therefore  consider  our  duty  both  to  readers  and  to 
manufacturers  discharged,  by  mentioning  the  name  of  one  maker  of  each  article, 
trusting  to  the  sagacity  of  purchasers  to  pursue  the  investigation  for  themselves. 
In  preparing  this  List  I  have  had  the  invaluable  assistance  of  Dr.  J.  L.  BISHOP, 
who  has  a  more  minute  knowledge  of  the  minor  manufactures  and  mechanic 
arts  of  Philadelphia  than  probably  any  other  man. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Accordions. 

Acids 

Agricultural  Imple- 
ments. 

Air  Pumps. 
Alcohol. 
Ale  and  Porter. 
Almanacs. 
38* 


JOSEPH  SERVOSS,  (sole  agent  for  Fass'  Patent  Echo  American 

Accordion,"!  16  North  Second  street. 
C.  M.  ZIMMERMAN,  (Patent  American,)  238  North  Second  st. 


(See  Chemicals,  page  207.) 


(See  page  141.) 


GEO.  C.  HOWARD,  (Submarine-Armor,)  18th  st.,  bel.  Market. 
(See  Alcohol,  Camphene,  and  Burning  Fluid,  page  148.) 
(See  Brewing,  page  194.) 


KING  &  BAIRD,  9  Sansom  street. 


(469) 


470 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST   OF    ARTICLES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Alum. 

Ambrotype  and   Da- 
guerreotype Tubes, 


Ammonia,  Sulph.  of. 


Anchors,  Chains,  and 
Cables. 

Annunciators. 

Apple   Parers    and 
Slicers. 

Architectural    Orna- 
ments, in  Iron. 


(See  Chemicals,  page  207.) 

ADOLPH  WIKTH,  No.  704  Arch  street,  above  Seventh. 


HENRY  BOWEE,  Gray's  Ferry  Road. 


WILLIAM  H.  REINHART,  622  Washington  Av.,  below  Brown. 


(See  Bell  Telegraphs.) 


E.  L.  PRATT,  (Pratt's  Patent,)  617  Sansom  street. 


in  Plaster, 
in  "Wood. 


HAGAR,  SANSON  &  PARRAND,  Willow  St.,  bet'n  12th  &  13th. 

W.  P.  HOOD,  Broad  and  Ridge  Avenue. 

WOOD  &  PEROT,  (see  page  450,)  Ridge  Avenue  and  12th. 

W.  H.  FRENCH,  Eighteenth  and  Chestnut  streets. 
THOMAS  HEATH,  southwest  corner  Eleventh  and  Arch. 


in  Terra-Cotta, 


THOMAS  G.  BERING,  northwest  corner  of  10th  and  Ridge  Av. 

CHARLES  BUSHOR,  45  South  Eighth  street,  and  200  Dock. 

R.  S.  SMITH,  234  South  Second  street. 

JOHN  HARE  OTTON,  306  S.  Fifth  street. 

LORENZE  STAUDACHER,  Chimney  Tops,  Caps,  and  Brackets, 

for  churches  and  private  dwellings,  1742  North  Eleventh, 

above  Columbia  Avenue. 


Artificial  Flowers. 

Artificial  Limbs. 
Artificial  Teeth. 


Artists'    Colors    and 
Materials. 


Ash— Pot,  Pearl,  and 
Soda. 

Ash  Sifters 

Astronomical  Instru- 
ments. 

Augers. 
Awl  Blades. 


Awnings,  Tents,  and 
Sacking  Bottoms. 

Awning  and  Canvas 
Printing. 


M.  S.  GERSTLE,  163  North  Second  street. 

HANLEY  &  BROTHER,  135  N.  Third,  below  Race,  up-stairs. 

A.  M.  HOSKINS,  15  South  Fourth  street. 

Mrs.  M.  J.  VAN  OSTEN,  29  South  Fourth  street. 
And  many  others. 

B.  F.  PALMER,  1320  Chestnut  street. 

JOHN  F.  ORD,  208  Dock,  above  Second  street. 

JONES,  WHITE  &  McCURDY,  528  Arch  st. 

ORUM  &  ARMSTRONG,  520  Arch  street. 

CORYELL  &  ROBSON,  (Dental  Laboratory,)  7th  &  Sansom  st. 

H.  KAUSZ,  (also  Importer,)  No.  802  Sansom  street,  second  dooi 

above  Eighth. 
THEODORE  KELLEY,  "Artists' Colorman,"  (Manufacturer  and 

Importer  of  Materials,  Fresco  and  Gilders'  Tools,)  No.  22  S. 

Eighth  street. 
G.  W.  OSBORNE  &  CO.,  (Osborne's  Superfine  American  Water 

Colors,)  104  North  Sixth  street. 

(See  Chemicals,  page  207.) 


0.  L.  BAKER,  315  North  Front  street. 
(See  Instruments,  Philosophical.) 

?.r: . 

BENJAMIN  PUGH,  Oak  street,  West  Philadelphia. 

MICHAEL  POTTER  PARTRIDGE,  (late  from  England,)  Blair 
street,  between  Norris  and  Wood  streets,  Kensington. 

JOSEPH  H.  FOSTER,  443  North  Third  street,  above  Willow. 
GEO.  W.  FOX,  No.  6  Hart's  Buildings,  6th  st.,  above  Chestnut 

C.  E.  FISK  &  SON,  13  South  Sixth  street,  (basement), 
B.  SACHS,  45  South  Third  Street. 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


471 


Awning  Frames. 

Axes. 

Axe  Handles. 

Axles. 

"      Car 
Babbitt  Metal. 

Baggage  Checks. 
Bags. 


JOHN  H.  LEWARS  &  CO.,  (Machine  made,)  9th  and  Wallace. 


Bags,  Paper. 

Bakehouse  Machine-  R.  J.  ROLLINGS  WORTH,  No.  23  Coates  alley. 


Baking  Powders. 

Balances. 
Balusters. 
Bandages,  Surgical. 
Band  Boxes. 
Bark  Mills. 
Barometers. 

Barrels,   Casks,    and 
Kegs. 

Baskets. 
Bath  Tubs. 
Bay  "Water 
Bed  Coverlets. 


Bedding,  Beds,  and 
Mattresses. 


Beds,  Spring. 
Bedsteads. 

37* 


JtAXUFACTtTBERS. 


HENRY  BEAGLE,  Willow  street,  above  Fifth. 
J.  E.  SASS,  133  Elfreth's  alley,  below  Second,  first  street  abovo 
Arch. 


C.  HAMMOND,  503  Commerce  street. 
CHIPMAN  &  WHITE,  No.  11  South  Front  street. 
RICHARD  FRENCH,  Broad  and  Willow  streets. 
A.  &  P.  ROBERTS,  Broad  street,  near  Vine. 

JOSEPH  BAKER  &  SON,  820  Rachel  st.,  or  821  North  Second. 
H.  W.  HOOK,  Broad  and  Pleasant  streets. 

WM.  T.  SCHEIBLE,  49  South  Third  street. 

JOSEPH  H.  FOSTER,  No.  443  North  Third  street. 
GEORGE  W.  FOX,  No.  6  Hart's  Buildings,  Sixth  street,  abova 
Chestnut. 


BOHLER,  TOMSON  &  WEIKEL,  248  North  Third  street,  below 

Vine. 
M.  GUGGENHEIM  &  CO.,  1040  North  Third  st.,  corner  George. 

(See  Scales  and  Balances.) 

LEWIS  THOMPSON  &  CO.,  Eleventh  and  Ridge  Road. 

(See  Trusses  and  Bandages.) 

(See  Paper  Boxes.) 

J.  TOCOM  &  SON,  (Webster's,)  13  Drinker's  alley. 

(See  Instruments,  Philosophical.) 


H.  APPLE  &  SONS,  121  South  Water  street,  and  230  North  Wa- 

ter street. 
HENRY  HAAS,  707  Brook  street,  between  Third  and  St.  John 

and  Brown  and  Coates. 

(See  Willow  Ware.) 

(See  Cedarware  and  Tinware.) 


JOHN  GIBSON,  SONS  £  CO.,  South  Front,  below  Walnut. 

PHILIP  KOLMER,  No.  1224  Germantown  Road,  above  Frank- 
lin street. 

L.  SIEFERT,  No.  928  North  Third  street,  between  Poplar  nod 
Beaver. 

S.  T.  C.  BELL,  northeast  corner  Fourth  and  Callowhill. 
JJ.  P.  ERWIN,  No.  526  Callowhill  street,  below  Sixth. 
FISHER  &  BROTHER,  northwest  corner  Fourth  and  Vine  sis. 
B.  FOLIOT,  (Spring  Mattresses,)  No.  407  Walnut  street. 
F.  B.  GILBERT,  936  and  938  Ridge  Avenue. 
And  others. 


JAMES  RUGGLES,  333  Harmony  Court,  below  Fourth. 
And  others. 


B.  REEVES  &  SON,  441  St.  John,  above  Willow. 
RIEBEL  &  LINCOLN,  409  and  411  Brown  street 


472 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Bedsteads,  (Iron  and  S 
Wire.,) 


.  MACFERRAN,  No.  532  Arch  street,  corner  of  Sixth. 
SELLERS  BROTHERS,  18  North  Sixth  street. 
M.  WALKER  &  SONS,  535  Market  street. 


Beef,  Packed. 

Bee-Hives. 
Beer,  Lager. 
Bells. 

Bell  Hanging. 


Bell  Telegraphs. 
Bellows. 


Belts,    (Waist    and 
Money.) 

Belting,  Machine. 


Bichromate   of   Pot- 
ash. 

Billiard    and    Baga- 
telle Balis. 

Billiard    and     Baga- 
telle Tables  &  Pools. 


Billiard  Table  Moun- 
tings. 

Bindings. 


Bits  and  Braces. 
Bits,  Bridle. 

Blacking. 


Blank  Books. 

(See  page  179.) 


JACOB  T.  ALBURGER  &  CO.,  414  South  Front  street. 
N.  H.  GRAHAM  &  CO.,  3  North  Water  street. 

P.  J.  MAHAN,  (Langstroth's  Patent,)  720  Chestnut  street 
(See  page  195.) 

JOSEPH  BERNHARD  &  CO.,  No.  120  North  Sixth  street. 
GELBACH  &  METZGER,  No.  1241  Howard  St.,  above  Franklit 
Avenue,  Kensington. 

THOMAS  H.  ADROCKER,  northwest  corner  13th  and  Cherry  sts. 
JULIUS  BILLERBECK,  No.  902  Ridge  Avenue,  above  Vine  St. 
H.  HOCHSTRASSER,  southwest  corner  10th  and  George  sts. 
J.  B.  SHANNON,  No.  58  North  Sixth  street. 
SCHEERER  &  DIEHR,  264  Fourth  street. 

H.  HOCHSTRASSER,  southwest  corner  10th  and  George  sts. 

GEO.  W.  METZ  &  SONS,  No.  813  Market  street. 
And  others. 


P.  HEALY  &  CO.,  No.  204  Walnut  street,  above  Second. 


BARNETT  &  JENKINS,  No.  112  North  Sixth  street. 

WM.  ECKFELDT,  No.  212  N.  Thirteenth  st.,  and  No.  418  N.  3d. 

SELLERS  &  PENNOCK,  613  St.  James  street. 

BUCK,  SIMONIN  &  CO.,  No.  127  Walnut  street. 


HARVEY  &  FORD.  Goldsmith's  Hall,  Library  street. 



THOMAS  DAVIS  242  Monroe  street. 

SCHAFFER  &  ADLER,  N.  W.  cor.  Second  and  Callowhlll. 

(Cloths,  Balls,  Cues,  Maces,  and  Bridges,  constantly  on  band, 

and  furnished  at  short  notice.) 
M.  SCHCENHTTT,  S.  W  corner  Franklin  Avenue  and  Second  oi 

(S«e  page  275.) 

G.  W.  BRADFIELD,  525  North  12th  st.,  near  Ridge  Avenue. 
PAUL  SCHWARZKOPF,  519  Emlen,  bet.  Noble  &  Peg,  ab.  Front 

JOHN  DUDLEY,  (Carpet,  Mat,  and  Horse-sheet,) 207  Quarry  st., 

above  Arch,  between  2d  and  3d. 

JOS.  SPITZ,  (also  Diamond  Bed-Lace,)  928  N.  3d,  ab.  Poplar. 
W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 


BOOTH  &  MILLS,  Little  Washington  st.,  below  Ninth. 

JOHN  KLUFKEE,  1351  Marlborough,  near  West  st.,  Kensing'n. 
PAUL  SCHWARZ  KOPF,  519  Emlen  street,  bet.  Noble  and  Peg, 

above  Front. 
E.  HALL  OGDEN,  (Malleable  Cast  Iron,)  9th  and  Jefferson  sts. 

JOHN  ANNEAR,  No.  127  North  Front  street. 
WILLIAM  CURRY,  No.  208  Chestnut  street. 
JAMES  S.  MASON  &  CO.,  No.  140  North  Front  street. 


WM.  B.  EDWARDS,  No.  152  S.  3d  st.,  opposite  the  Exchange. 
JOHN  GLADDING,  No.  117  South  Second  street,  &  529  S.  2<i. 
HENRY  HINKLE,  (Improved  English  Flexible,)   No.  1  Ran- 

stead  Place. 
DAVID  M.  HOGAN,  (Stationer  and  Printer,)  418  Walnut  itre«l 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


473 


Blank  Books.— Contin-  MOSS 
ued. 


Blinds,   Bashes,   and 
Doors. 


Blinds  and  Shades. 


Block    Letters. 
Blocks  and  Pumps. 

Blue,  Prussian. 
Boats. 

Bobbins  and  Spools. 

Bone  Black. 
Bolts,  &c. 

Bonnet  Boards. 
Bonnet  Frames. 
Bonnet  "Wire. 


Bonnet  Pressing  Ma- 
chines. 

Bonnets   and    Straw 
Goods. 

Bonnets,  Silk. 

Bookbinding. 

(See  page  177.) 


BROTHER  k  CO.,  No.  16  South  Fourth  street. 
C.  P.  PERRY,  southwest  corner  Fourth  and  Race  streets 
PIERSON  &  DIAMENT,  136  and  138  N.  Fourth,  corner  Cherry. 
THOMAS  W.  PRICE,  22  South  Fifth  street. 
JAMES  B.  SMITH  &  CO.,  610  Chestnut  street. 
JOHN  B.  SPRINGER,  southeast  corner  Fifth  and  Walnut. 
And  many  others. 

M.  J.  BRADY  &  CO.,  Beach,  below  Shackamaxon. 
COGILL  &  WILT,  421  North  Front,  below  Willow. 
ABEL  REED,  215  N.  Second  and  Marshall  St.,  above  Girard  AT. 
And  many  others. 

A.  BRITTON  &  CO.,  No.  44  North  Second  street. 

C.  W.  CLARK,  No.  139  South  Second  street,  above  Walnut. 
L.  M.  HARNED,  139  North  Sixth  street. 
R.  W.  KENSIL,  No.  939  Race  street. 

B.  J.  WILLIAMS,  No.  16  North  Sixth  street. 

And  many  others. 

WM.  C.  MTJRPHY,  (Carred,)  No.  47  South  Third  street. 


JAMES  McCTJSKER,  No.  715  Swanson  street. 
ALEXANDER  RANKIN,  No.  122  North  Water  street. 

(See  Chemicals,  page  208.) 

ALBERTSON  BROTHERS,  Beach  st.,  ab.  Marlboro',  Kensing'n. 
WOOD  &  BROTHERS,  Penu  street,  above  Poplar. 
And  others. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


JOHN  CUNDEY,  732  North  Fourth  street,  below  Brown. 
JOHN  JACKSON  &  CO.,  1089  Germanjtown  Road,  opp.  Second— 
(various  Turnings  for  Silk,  Cotton,  and  Woolen  Factories.) 

(See  Ivory  Black.) 

E.  &  P.  COLEMAN,  Arch,  above  Twenty-first. 

HOOPES  &  TOWNSEND,  1330  Button-wood,  below  Broad. 

A.  M.  COLLINS  &  CO.,  506  Minor  street. 
HUCKEL  &  MILLER,  43  North  Front  street. 

LINCOLN,  WOOD  &  NICHOLS, 711  Chestnut  street. 
JAMES  TELFORD,  903  North  Second,  above  Poplar. 

M.  BIRD,  (Silk,  Cotton,  and  Fancy,)  northwest  corner  Frankliu 

Avenue  and  Crown,  Kensington. 
JOSEPH  MOORE,  737  L.  Crown  St.,  rear  of  522  North  Fourth. 

GEO.  C.  HOWARD,  17  South  18th  street,  below  Market. 


(See  Straw  Goods.) 


LINCOLN,  WOOD,  &  NICHOLS,  (see  p.  414,)  725  Chestnut  st. 

— — — — 

J.  ALTEMUS  &  CO.,  62  North  Fourth  street. 
CRISSY  &  MARKLEY,  Goldsmith's  Hall,  Library  street. 
WM.  B.  EDWARDS,  No.  152  South  Third,  opposite  Exchange. 
EDWARD  GASKILL,  Post-office  Building,  Carter  street. 
JOHN  GLADDING,  No.  117  South  Second  street,  &  529  S.  2d. 
LANDENBERG  &  LEVER,  Nos.  40  and  42  North  Seventh  st. 
J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &  CO.,  Fifth  and  Cherry. 
MILLER  &  BURLOCK,  George,  above  Eleventh. 
JOSEPH  MONIER,  No.  10  North  Sixth. 
PAWSON  &  NICHOLSON,  No.  519  Minor  street. 
THOMAS  PRICE,  No.  23  South  Fifth. 
JOSEPH  A.  SPEEL,  Cowperthwaite  Building,  Carpenter  st 
And  many  others. 


474 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


Bookbinders'  Muslin 
Bookbinders'  Tools. 
Book  Mountings. 

Book  Publishers. 

Boot   Crimping  Ma- 
chines. 

Boot  Crimping. 
Boots  and  Shoes. 
Boot  Trees  &  Lasts. 


Bottles. 
Bottle  Moulds. 


Bottlers. 


Bottling  Machines. 
Boxes,  Packing. 
Boxes,  Paper. 

Boxwood  for  Engra- 
vers. 

Bracelets. 
Braces  and  Bits. 
Brands  and  Stamps 
Brass  Cocks. 


Brass  Fpunding  and 
Finishing. 


Brass  Raised  Letters, 
for  Engines,  Names,  &c. 


N.  M.  ABBOTT  &  CO.,  522  Minor  street. 
GASKILL,  COPPEK  &  FRY,  No.  522  Minor  street. 

T.  T.  KINSEY,  No.  207  Race  street. 

EDWARD  L.  MINTZER,  No.  23  North  Sixth  street. 

F.  A.  WAIT,  No.  237  Spruce,  below  Third. 


(See  Books,  &c,,  page  159.) 

FETTER  &  CO.,  No.  31  South  Sixth  street. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


C.  B.  SYLVESTER,  338  Crown  street,  above  Wood. 
(See  page  183.) 

PETER  DEWEES,  No.  113  Callowhill  street,  (old  No.  31.) 

JACOB  FOSTER,  No.  305  Cherry  street. 

J.  HOWARD  &  CO.,  No.  112  Bread  street. 

GEORGE  MUNRO,  (Anatomical,)  No.  127  Callowhill. 

(See  Glass.) 

EDWIN  FAYLE,  20")  Quarry  street  (Evans'  Building.) 

GEO.  H.  MYERS,  (established  over    25  years,)  No.   2  Lodge 

street,  above  Second. 

C.  80ISTMAN,  southwest  corner  York  Avenne  and  Noble. 
STACY  WILSON,  106  Front  St. 
GEO.  H.  KOECHLEIN,  (Wooden,)  526  North  Front  street. 

ANDREWS,  JOHNSTON  &  CO.,  1713  Cherry,  West  of  17th. 
P.  CONWAY,  No.  1021  Hunter  street,  below  North  llth. 
EDWARD  DUFFY  &  SON.  No.  912  and  914  Filbert  street. 
GEORGE.  M.  FRIED  &  SON,  237  South  Fifth  Street. 
And  others. 


JOSEPH  BERNHARD  &  CO.,  No.  120  North  Sixth. 

(See  Packing  Boxes.) 

(See  Paper  Boxes.) 

N.  J.  WEMMER,  205  and  207  (old  No.,  5)  Pear  street. 


J.  T.  MIDNIGHT,  14.3  North  Fourth  street. 
BOOTH  &  MILLS,  Little  Washington,  below  Ninth. 
JOHN  BUNTING,  southwest  corner  Second  and  New  streets. 

J.  &  S.  AUSTIN,  1224  Clinton  street,  above  Franklin  Avenne,  be- 
tween Front  and  Second. 
J.  &  H.  JONES,  243  Arch  street. 
H.  HOMER,  231  Race  street. 
McCAMBRlDGE,  FRY  &  CO.,  317  Cherry  street. 


J.  &  S.  AUSTIN,  1224  Clinton  street,  above  Franklin  Avenue, 

between  Front  and  Second. 
S.  J.  CRESSWELL,  816  Race  street. 
M.  A.  DODGE,  Fifteenth  and  Willow. 
JACOB  FRICK,  614  North  Third  street. 
F.  W.  &  G.  A.  KOHLER,  528  N.  Second,  above  Buttonwood. 
GELBACH  &  METZGER,  1241  Howard  St.,  above  Franklin  Av. 
THOMAS  HARRINGTON,  rear  of  15  North  Ninth  street. 
And  many  others. 


HENRY  SINKLER,  (also  Card  Plates,  Engraved  Names  and  Let- 
ters'for  Cemeteries,  &c.)  Pcmberton  st.,  south  of  Wallace 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


475 


Brass   Machine    and 
Ship  Castings. 

Brass  Nails  &  Bands. 
Brass,  Sheet. 

Brass  Tubing,  for  Phil- 
osophical Instruments. 

Bricks. 

Brick  Machines. 


Bricklayers'  &  Plas- 
terers* Tools. 

Britannia  "Ware. 

(See  page  351.) 


Bronzes. 
Bronze  Powders. 

Brooms   and  "Whisk 
Brushes. 


Brush    Blocks     and 
Backs. 


Brushes. 

(See  page  404.) 


Buckets. 
Buckskins. 


Buckskin     Gloves, 
Drawers,  Shirts,  <sc. 


Bungs  and  Spigots. 


Burning    Fluid   and 
Camphene. 

Burr  Millstones. 


Buttons  and  Button 
Moulds,  Bone. 

Buttons,  Covered. 
Buttons,  Horn. 
Buttons,  Pearl. 


WILEE  &  MOSS,  225  S.  Fifth  street,  below  Walnut. 
SAMUEL  CEOFT,  22  Decatur  street. 
E.  BOEMAN,  (Drawn)  523  Cherry  street. 


(See  page  198.) 

C.  CAENELL,  1542  N.  Sixth  and  Germantown  Eoad. 
S.  P.  M1LLEE,  No.  309  South  Fifth  street. 

JOSEPH  EUE,  (Ladders,  Jacks,  Hods,  &c.)  845  Parrish  street. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


GELBACH  &  METZGEE,  1241  Howard  st.,  above  Franklin  Av. 


HENEY  D.  BOAEDMAN,  No.  245  Arch  street. 

HENEY  CALVEELEY,  (Moulds,  Coffin  Trimmings,  and  Fancy 

Wares  in  Britannia  Metal,)  No.  205  Quarry  street. 
EENEST  KAUFFMAN,  No.  328  Noble  street. 
G.  ENGEL,  No.  308  Chestnut  street. 


AECHEE,  WAENEE,  MISKEY  &  CO.,  718  Chestnut  street. 
WILLIAM  EVETT,  No.  28  North  Fifth  street. 

BEEGEE  &  BUTZ,  No.  132  North  Water  st.,  below  Eace. 
CHIPMAN  &  WHITE,  No.  11  South  Front  street. 
H.  B.  PENNOCK,  Jr.,  47  North  Water  street. 
EOWE  &  EUSTON,  157  and  159  North  Third  street. 

ALEXANDEE  BECEAFT,  rear  of  426  Walnut  street. 

JOSEPH  BUSCH,  rear  of  220  North  Third. 

JOHN  FUNSTON,  (Bored,)  116  Edward  st.,  near  School. 

EDWIN  CLINTON,  No.  908  Chestnut,  above  9th. 
CHAELES  T.  KEEN,  No.  58  North  Second  street. 
JACOB  PEPPEE,  (Tooth,)  Germantown  Eoad,  ab.  Columbia. 
EDMUND  W.  P.  TAUNTON,  No.  805  Market  Street. 
And  many  others. 



(See  Wooden  Ware.) 

McNEELY  &  CO.,  No.  64  North  Fourth  street. 

MOEGAN  &  WELBANK,  No.  402  N.  Ninth,  above  Callowhill. 

J.  E.  ASHFOED,  (Gloves  only,)  607  Callowhill  street. 

P.  HEALY  &  CO.,  No.  204  Walnut  street. 

MOEGAN  &  WELBANK,  No.  402  N.  9th  st.,  above  Callowhill. 

GEO.  H.  KOECHLEIN,  No.  626  N.  Front  street— (also,  Mallets, 

Screws,  Handles,  and  Moulds  for  Glass,  &c.,  &c.) 
JOHN  LOUIS  &  SON,  504  Vine  st.,  above  Fifth. 

(See  page  148.) 


SAMUEL  M.  MECUTCHEON,  Haydock  street,  below  Front 
J.  E.  MITCHELL,  No.  310  York  Avenue. 


J.  C.  NOETH,  South  Front  street,  below  Eeed. 
J.  WITZEL,  No.  1321  North  Fifth,  bfilow  Master. 

GEIEESHOFEB,  LOEWI  &  CO.,  907  Marshall  &  5  Bank  st. 
LEWIS  BUTZ,  No.  978  Marshall  st.,  below  Franklin  Avenue. 
EDWAED  MAEKLEW  15th  street,  bet.  Hamilton  and  Willow 


476 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


Buttons,   Silk    and 
Fancy. 


Cabinet  "Ware. 

Cabinet  Makers'  Fin- 
dings. 

Cables,  Chain. 
Cables,  Hempen. 
Candles. 


Candles,  Adamantine 
and  Stearine. 

Candle,  Wax. 
Candle  Moulds. 
Canes  and  Crutches. 

Canes  and  Ferrules. 
Cans  and  Canisters. 

Caps,  Cloth.  (See  p.  281.) 

Caps  &  Labels. 

Capstans. 

Carboys. 

Cars. 

Car  Springs. 

Car  Wheels. 

Cardboard. 

Cards,  Playing. 

Card  Punching  Ma- 
chines. 

Card  Stamping. 

Carpet  &   Traveling 
Bags. 

Carpetings. 
Carpets,  List  &  Bag. 


MANUFACTUREKB. 


J.  B.  CHAMPEOMY,  133  North  Third  street. 

JOHN  C.  GRAHAM,  607  Cherry  street. 

H.  W.  HENSEL,  20  North  Fourth  street. 

W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  street*. 

CHABLES  MEVES,  9  North  Eighth  street. 



(See  Furniture  and  Upholstery,  page  273.) 

NOBLITT,  BROWN  &  NOBLITT,  No.  222  South  Second  st. 
THOMAS  THOMPSON,  SON  &  CO.,  No.  238  South  Second  st. 

B.  CLARK  &  SON,  763  South  Front  street. 
(See  Cordage.) 

FRANCIS  CONWAT,  114  and  118  Relief  street. 

WILLIAM  CONWAY,  No.  316  South  Second  st.,  below  Spruce. 

G.  DALLETT  &  CO.,  122  and  1319  Market,  and  10th  &  Callow'l. 

E.  DUFFY  &  SON,  No.  914  Filbert  street. 

G.  M.  ELKINTON  &  SON,  116  Margaretta  street. 

EPHRAIM  WILSON,  No.  1095  Germantown  Road,  opp.  Second. 

C.  H.  GRANT  &  CO.,  No.  126  South  Delaware  Avenue. 
DAVID  THAIN  &  CO.,  Callowhill  and  Fairmount. 

F.  SCHNEIDER,  (also  Importer  and  Dealer  in  Pictures  and  Re- 
ligious  articles,)  435  Franklin  Avenue,  below  Fifth. 

HENRY  CALVERLEY,  205  Quarry  street,  above  Second. 
JOHN  CALVERLEY,  305  Race  street. 

AUGUSTUS  BICKEL,  No.  139  North  Fourth  street. 
GEORGE  DOLL,  No.  14  North  Sixth  street. 

FRANCIS  KRAMER,  No.  856  North  Ninth  st.,  below  Poplar. 

ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  (Self-sealing,)  119  S.  10th. 
HADDEN,  CARLL  &  PORTER,  130  North  Second  street. 
REHN  &  EVERETT,  108  North  Front  street. 


8.  D.  WALTON  &  CO.,  No.  127  North  Third  street. 

JOHN  DAVEY,  (Metallic,)  rear  115  South  Second  street. 

WILLIAM  TEES,  (also  Windlasses,)  Beach  and  Hanover. 

H.  B.  &  J.  M,  BENNERS  &  CO.,  27  South  Front  street. 

MURPHY  &  ALLISON,  (see  page  454.)  . 

J.  JEFFRIES  &  SONS,  811  Grape  street. 

A.  WHITNEY  &  SONS,  Sixteenth  and  Callowhill. 

A.  M.  COLLINS  &  CO.,  506  Minor  street. 

ROBINSON  RITSON,  corner  Twenty-fourth  and  Green. 

SAMUEL  HART  &  CO.,  416  South  Thirteenth. 

CHAMBERS  *  RIEHL,  1033  N.  Fourth,  bet.  Poplar  and  Georg». 
W.  P.  UHLINGER  &CO.,  North  Second,  above  Oxford. 

JAMES  MARTIN,  1128  North  Second  st.,  ah.  Franklin  Avenue. 

GEO.  B.  BAINS,  302  Market  street,  and  6  North  Fourth  street. 
THOMAS  W.  MATTSON,  402  Market  street,  above  Fourth. 

(See  page  239.) 

GEORGE  ALBRECHT,  321  Callowhill,  below  Fourth. 
JAMES  CRAWSHAW,  No.  1516  North  Second  street. 
I  (Also,  see  page  239.) 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


Carriages  &  Coaches. 
(See  page  202.) 


MANUFACTURERS. 


BECKHAUS  ALLGAIER  &  PETRY,  1204  Frankford  Road,  ab. 

Franklin  Avenue. 

DUNLAP'S  PH03NIX  WORKS,  490  York  Avenue. 
LANE  &  CO.,  1907  Market. 
WM.  D.  ROGERS,  (see  page  444,)  1009  Chestnut. 
GEO.  W.  WATSON,  1219  Chestnut. 

WENZLER,  PFAFF  &  KROLL,  Wallace,  above  Ridge  Avenue. 
And  many  others. 

KIRCHNER  &  STICKEL,  309  Race  street,  above  Third. 
ALFRED  RUHL,  north  west  corner  Eighth  and  Wood  streets. 


(See  Dry  Goods,  page  245.) 


(See  Wagons  and  Carts,  page  394.) 


Carriage  Axles. 

Carriage  Bows,  Poles 
and  Shafts. 

Carriage  Trimmings. 
Carts,  Drays,  &c. 

Carving,     Furniture  THOMAS  G.  BERING,  northwest  corner  Tenth  and  Ridge  Av. 
and  Ornamental,&c. '  CHARLES  BUSHOR,  200  Dock  street. 

EDWARD  J.  DELANY,  corner  Ridge  Avenue  and  Eleventh. 
JOHN  HARE  OTTON,  No.  306  South  Fifth  street. 
JOHN  SCOTT,  452  North  Twelfth,  below  Bnttonwood. 
R.  S.  SMITH,  230  and  232  South  Second  st.,  below  Walnut. 


Carving,  Pattern. 


Carving,  Ship. 
Cases,  Card. 


WILLIAM  B.  ATTKEN,  No.  203  Dock  street. 

JACOB  BEESLEY  &  CO.,  No.  424  DUlwyn  st.,  ab.  Callowhill. 

THOMAS  G.  BERING,  northwest  corner  Tenth  and  Ridge  Av. 

THOMAS  W.  MASON,  No.  233  South  Fifth  street. 

SMITH  &  BROWN,  212  North  Second  street. 

JOHN  HARE  OTTON,  306  South  Fifth  st. 

FRANCIS  FOX,  131  Dock  street. 

SAMtTEL  FISHER,  (Pearl,)  1509  Linden  st.,  west  of  Fifteenth, 

between  Market  and  Chestnut. 
SAMUEL  HART  &  CO.,  Thirteenth,  above  Pine. 


Cases,  Jewelers,  Mo-'G.  F.  KOLB,  341  Harmony  st,  corner  South  Fourth 
rocco  and  Velvet.       PEACOCK  &  FICKERT,  Fifth  and  Chestnut  streets. 


Cases,     Mahogany, 
Morocco,  &c 


Cask  and   Hogshead 
Shocks. 

Casters,  French  Fur- 
niture. 

Cedar  "Ware. 


Chamois  Leather. 
Chandeliers. 
Charcoal. 
Chairs. 


39 


JOSEPH  ELLIS,  101  South  Eighth  Street. 
G.  F.  KOLB,  341  Harmony  st.,  corner  South  Fourth. 
JACOB  LUTZ,  109  South  Eighth  street,  (fourth  story). 
PEACOCK  &  FICKERT,  Fifth  and  Chestnut  streets. 
JOSEPH  LATJGHL1N,  300  Walnut  street,  near  Exchange. 
NATHAN  STARKEY,  116  South  8th,  bet.  Chestnut  and  Walnut. 

WM.  it  COOPER  &  CO.,  135  8.  Water,  and  71  Church. 
W.  B.  STEVEXSON,  325  and  333  South  Front. 

FRANCIS  CLAVELOUX,  109  South  Second,  above  Walnut. 


CHIPMAN  &  WHITE,  11  South  Front. 

C.  DREBY,  414  North  Second  street,  above  Callowhill. 

JOHN  LOUIS  &  SON,  504  Vine  street,  above  Fifth. 

MelCBELY  &  CO.,  64  North  Fourth  street. 


•UoO 


(See  page  352.) 

COOK  i  EMERICK,  410  Queen  street,  Kensington. 

BENJAMIN  H.  BRAYMAN,  Wholesale  and  Retail,  No.  27  Front 

street,  below  Arch.    (Chairs  packed  with  care  for  shipping.) 
THOMAS  L.  PRICE,  Franklin  Avenue,  below  Eighth. 
W.  D.  REICHNER,  (Cane  Seat,  of  best  materials  and  lowest 

cash  prices,)  339  North  Front  street. 
NATHAN  ROBBINS,  (Boston, Rocking,  Nurse,  aud  Office;  also, 

Night,  Cabinet,  Pivot,  Office  and  Barber  Chairs  and  Stools.J 

243  North  Front  street. 


478 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   ARTICLES. 


MANUFACTURED. 

WISLER  &  BROTHER,  223  and  225  North  Sixth  st.,  opposite 
Franklin  Square. 

And  many  others. 

JOHN  McCULLOUGH,  Willow  street,  between  12th  and  13th. 

(See  page  206.) 

F.  H.  SMITH,  716  Arch  street. 


Chairs. — Continued. 

Chair  Findings. 
Chemicals. 
Chess  Boards. 
China  "Ware. 
Chocolate,  Cocoa,  &c. 
Chronometers. 
Churns. 
Cigar  Boxes. 

Cigar  Cases. 

Cigars. 

Cloaks  &  Mantillas 

Clothing,   Ready- 
made. 

Cloths,  Reflnishing.    !  LOUIS  SCHWARTSWAELDER,  (also  Sponging  and  Shrinking 
by  a  new  process,)  68  N.  Second  street. 


(See  Spices,  and  page  269.) 

WILLIAM  E.  HARPUR,  428  Chestnut  street. 

G.  SPAIN,  southwest  corner  Ninth  and  Coates. 

FREDERICK  BRECHT,  406  Vine  street. 

JOHN  W.  FARRELL,  (and  furnishing,)  836  Harmony  Court. 

M.  THALHEIMER,  417  Dillwyn  street. 

H.  A.  HEUSSLER,  341  Harmony  st.,  corner  South  Fourth. 

(See  page  388.) 

(See  Clothing,  page  225.) 

(See  page  220.) 


Coaches. 

Coaches,  Gigs,  &c. 
(for  Children.) 


Coffee,  Essence  of. 


Coffee  Mills. 
Coffee  Pots,  Patent. 

Coffee,  Roasting. 
Coffin  Ornaments. 


(See  Carriages  and  Coaches.) 

ASKAM  &  SON,  No.  131  Dock  street. 

CHARLES  S.  SWOPE,  753  South  Third. 

T.  W.  &  J.  A.  YOST,  (successors  to  Bushnell  &  Tnll,)  214  Dock 

street,  above  Second. 
WILLIAM  QUINN,  416  Library  St.,  back  of  Custom  House. 

BOHLER,  TOMSON  &  WEJKEL,  243  N.  Third  st.,  below  Vina 
M.  GUGGENHEIM  &  CO.,  1040  N.  Third  street,  corner  George. 
CHARLES  KROBERGER,  No.  458  Dillwyn  street. 

iMcCULLOUGH  &  CO.,  <  Concentrated  Turkey,)  Arch,  bel.  3d. 

,G.  G.  MILLER  &  CO.,  (Premium,)  1314  Crease  st.,  Kensington. 

SELSOR,  COOK  &  CO.,  Germantown. 

'ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  ("Theoid  Dominion,")  117 

I     and  119  South  Tenth  street. 

I  

EAGLE  SPICE  MILLS,  244  North  Front. 


SCHEERER   <s    DIEHR,   also   Mouldings,   Door-plates,   Door- 
I     knob*,  Bell-pulls,  4c.,  337  N.  4th  street. 
Coining  Machinery.    'MORGAN,  ORR  &  CO.,  Callowhill,  below  Broad. 



Collars,  Enameled.       WM.  E.  LOCKWOOD,  (Hunt's  Patent,)  236  Chestnut  street. 


Colors. 


(Seepage  217.) 


Combs,  Brushmak'rs.  HENRY  HUBER,  Jr.,  North  Fifth  street,  above  Market. 

Combs,  Horn.  Mrs.  W.  COOK,  1009  Randolph  street,  below  Franklin  Avenue. 

(See  page  407.)     G.  G.  MILLER,  1314  Crease  street,  Kensington. 
iREDHEFFER  &  SONS,  615  Coates  street. 

Combs,  Shell  &  Buf-!REDHEFFER  &  SONS,  615  Coates  btreet.  (See  page  407.) 
falo  Horn. 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST   OF   ARTICLES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Combs,  Gold  &  Silver  GEORGE  P.  PILLING,  Ko.  214  Gold  street,  above  Second. 

Concertinos. 

Confectionery. 


C.  M.  ZIMMERMAN,  (Premium  awarded,)  23S  North  Second  nt 


S.  HENRION,  No.  712  Market  street,  (Eagle  Jujube  Paste,  Gum 

Drops,  Chocolates,  Syrups,  &c.) 

WEISS  &  SCHELL,  No.  831  Vine  street,  below  Ninth. 
E.  G.  WHITMAN  &  CO.,  No.  102  South  Second  street. 
STEPHEN  F.  WHITMAN,  No.  1210  Market  street. 
(See  Confectionery,  page  226.) 

Confection'rs  Mo'lds.  JOHN  GARDNER,  3418  Market  st.,  West  Philadelphia. 
Cooking  Banges,  &c.' (See  page  290.) 

Cooper  "Work.  H.  APPLE  &  SONS,  (also  Gauging,)  121  South  Water,  and  231 

North  Water. 

C.  DREBY,  (Cedar,)  414  North  Second,  above  Callowhill. 
HENRY  HAAS,  707  Brook  St.,  between  Third  and  St.  John,  and 

Brown  and  Coates. 


Cooper's  Tools. 

Copper   and    Steel 
Plates.         J£ 

Copper  "Work. 
Copying  Presses. 
Cordage. 

Cord,  Cotton 
Corks. 


Cork  Soles. 

Corsets. 

(See'page  240.) 


Costumes. 

Cotton  Machinery. 

Crackers  &  Biscuits. 

(See  page  267.) 

Cravats,  Ties,  &c. 
Cricket  Bats. 
Crucibles,  Clay. 
Curled  Hair. 

Curriers'    Knife- 
Blades. 

Curry  Combs. 
Curtain  Fixtures. 
Curtains. 


J.  L.  WILLIAMS,  Hale,  ab.  Columbia  st.,  bet.  New  3d  and  4th. 
J.  EEIM,  Eutaw  street,  near  Race,  above  Seventh. 


JOSEPH  OAT  &  SON,  232  and  234  Quarry  street. 
(See  Presses.) 

WEAVER,  FITLER  &  CO.,  23  North  Water. 
And  many  others. 

HENRY  CONKLE,  No.  4  South  Third  street. 

GEO.  M.  FRIED  &  SON,  No.  237  South  Fifth  street. 

GEORGE  HAMMER,  (By  Patent  Machine,)  No.  823  N.  Third, 

above  Brown. 
JOSEPH  MURPHY,  No.  631  North  Third,  below  Coates. 

L.  ZUEGNER,  No.  278  North  Third  street. 

Mrs.  C.  BROWN,  No.  329  Arch  street. 
C.  &  E.  HENSZEY,  No.  521  Chestnut  street. 
And  many  others. 

COX  &  DESMOND,  (for  Balls,  Theatres,  &c.,)  917  Race  street. 
A.  JENKS  &  SON,  Bridesburg,  (See  page  299  and  Appendix.) 

IVINS  &  ALLEN,  No.  321  North  Front  street. 

P  MAISON,  134  North  Front  street. 

RICKETTS  &  CO.,  153,  loo,  and  157  North  Front  street. 

C.  A.  BUTTS,  No.  27  North  Eighth  street. 

W.  J.  WALKER,  819  Sprnoa  street,  above  Eighth. 


(See  Glue,  &c.,  page  218.) 

J.  M.  EARNEST,  No.  858  North  Fourth  street. 
JACOB  ZEBLEY,  402  Cherry  street. 

W.  BEACH,  (Patent,)  Willow  street,  between  12th  and  13th. 
G.  LYMAN  MILLER,  Fifteenth  St.,  bet.  Willow  and  Hamilton. 

H.  B.  BLANCHARD  &  CO.,  727  Chestnut  street. 
WM.  H.  CARRYL  &  BRO.,  719  Chestnut  street. 


480 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


Cutlery. 

(See  also  "  Edge  Tools  and 
Surgical  Instruments.") 

Daguerreotypes,  &c. 
DaguerreotypeCases. 


•  Chemicals. 

•  Stock. 

•  Tubes. 


Dental  Instruments. 
Dentists'  Files. 


Gold  Foil. 

Jewelry  &Pearl 

Work,  Mirrors,  &c. 

—  Qold  Plate  "Work. 


>  Moulds. 


Desks,  Portable,  &c. 

Diamonds,  Cutting. 
Die  Sinking. 
Distilling.   Grain. 
Dolls  and  Toys. 
Drawing  Instrum'ts. 

Dressing  Cases. 
Drug  &  Spice  Mills. 
Drums,  Military. 

Drum  Heads. 
Dry  Goods. 
Dumb  Bells. 
Dyeing. 
Dye  "Woods. 

Earthenware. 

(Also,  see  page  201.) 

Easels,  Artists'. 
Edge  Gilding. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


CLARENBACH  &  HERDER,  (Shears,  &c.)  634  Arch  street. 
WM.  GILCURIST,  (Razors,)  No.  445  North  Broad  street. 

B.  RICHARDSON,  (Table,}  117  South  Second  street. 

GERMON,  BROADBENT,  and  many  others. 

DABBS  &  BIRMINGHAM,  (and  Spectacle  Cases,)  1  Ranstead 
Place,  Fourth,  above  Chestnut. 

C.  C.  SCHLEUNES,  Harmony  Court,  corner  Fourth. 


(See  page  209.) 


DABBS  &  BIRMINGHAM,  1  Ranstead  Place,  4th,  ab.  Chestnut 
ADOLPH  WIRTH,  (also  Ambrotype,)  704  Arch  street. 
(See  Surgical  Instruments. 

J.  M.  EARNEST,  No.  858  North  Fourth,  below  Poplar. 
ROBERT  MURPHT,  226  North  Fourth,  opposite  Branch  street, 

CHARLES  ABBEY  &  SONS,  228  Pear  street,  below  Third. 

SAMUEL  FISHER,  1509  Linden  st.,  bet.  Market  and  Chestnut. 
EDWARD  J.  JENKINS,  15  North  Ninth  street. 

CORTELL  &  ROBSON,  (and  Dental  Perfumery,)  southeast  cor- 
ner Seventh  and  Sansom. 


B.  P.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  123  Coates  Alley. 

W.  T.  FRY  &  CO.,  15  North  Sixth,  above  Market. 
NATHAN  STARKEY,  116  South  Eighth,  above  Sansom. 

F.  BOHRER,  (Ruling,  &c.)  20  Franklin  Place. 

A.  &  G.  McCLEMENT,  321  Chestnut  street. 

(See  "  Distilling  and  Rectifying,"  page  231.) 

LUDWIG  GREINER,  (Patent  Doll  Heads,)  414  North  Fourth. 

THEODORE  ALTENEDER,  (Patent  Joint,)  also  Importer  of  Op- 
tical Instruments,  229  New  street. 

W.  T.  FRY  &  CO.,  (Wood  and  Leather,)  15  North  Sixth. 

C.  VANHORN  &  CO.,  Fifteenth  and  Hamilton. 

CHARLES  M.  ZIMMERMAN,  (Patented,)  248  North  Second  ft 
W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 

MORGAN  &  WELBANK,  No.  402  North  9th,  above  Callowhill. 
(See  page  232.) 


STUART  &  PETERSON,  Willow,  above  Thirteenth. 
(See  Dry  Goods,  page  232.) 
(See  page  214.) 


HYZER  &  LEWELLEN,  No.  952  North  Ninth,  above  Poplar 
ISAAC  SPIEGEL,  Jr.,  Brown,  bet.  Cherry  &  Vienna,  Kensing'o. 

THEODORE  KELLEY,  No.  22  South  Eighth  street. 
G.  ECKENDORFF,  203  South  Fifth. 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


481 


Edge  Tools  and  Cut- 


lery. 


(See  page  338.) 


BOOTH  &  MILLS,  Little  Washington,  below  Ninth 

WILLIAM  CONAWAT,  402  Cherry  street. 

C.  HAMMOND,  503  Commerce  street. 

JACOB  ZEBLEY,  402  Cherry  street  above  Fourth. 


Electro-Plating    and  WM.  BARBER,  No.  110  South  Eighth  street. 


Gilding. 

Electrotypingr. 

Embroideries. 

Emery  Paper. 
Enameled  Cloths. 
Engines. 
Engine  Turning. 

Engraving. 

See  page  180.) 


Engraving,  Bk.  Note. 


•  Calico. 

•  Jewelry. 

•  Seal. 


Engravers'  Tools. 
Envelopes. 

Extracts  &  Essences. 
Eyelet  Machines. 

Fans. 

Fan  Blowers. 


JE.  &  G.  EAKINS,  (Howell's  Building,)  southwest  corner  Sixfb 

and  Chestnut. 

FEANCIS  JAHN,  No.  435  Race  st.,  below  Fifth  street. 
T.  T.  KINSEY,  No.  207  Race  street,  above  Second. 
E.  L.  MINTZER,  No.  23  North  Sixth  street. 
JOHN  O.  MEAD  &  SONS,  Ninth  and  Chestnut. 

E.  &  G.  EAKINS,  Howell's  Building,  Sixth  and  Chestnut. 
(Also,  see  Stereotyping.) 

E.  GROSJEAN,  Tenth,  below  Chestnut. 
And  many  others. 

BAEDER,  DELANEY  &  ADAMSON,  No.  14  South  Fourth. 
THOMAS  POTTER,  229  Arch,  and  18th  and  Spring  Garden. 
(See  "Steam  and  Fire  Engines,"  page316.) 
C.  G.  CROWELL,  Dock,  corner  of  Walnut. 

BAXTER  &  HARLEY,  (see  page  ISO,)  35  South  Sixth. 
BOERUM  *r  NOBLE,  (Wood,)  127  South  Third. 
E.  H.  COGGINS,  .'also  Printing^  36  North  Eighth. 
MARTIN  LEANS,  402>i  Chestnut  street. 
SAMUEL  MAROT,  434  Chestnut  and  Fifth. 
A.  &  G.  McCLEMENT,  (also  Embossing,)  321  Chestnut  street. 
E.  ROGERS,  (see  page  ISO,)  132  South  Third  street. 
A.  C.  SUPLEE,  326  Chestnut  street. 
And  many  others. 

AMERICAN  BANK  NOTE  COMPANY,  Philadelphia. 
MILLER,  READER  &  CO.,  6  Lagrange  Place. 

E.  F.  BATON,  722  Chestnut  street. 

WM.  F.  CAVENAUGH,  223  Dock  street,  (room  No.  7,  3d  story.) 

ROBERT  LOVETT,  200  South  Fifth. 

GEORGE  C.  HOWARD,  Eighteenth,  below  Market. 

SAMUEL  H.  BERRY,  33  South  Sixth  street. 

N.  AMERICAN  PAPER  BAG  AND  ENVELOPE  CO.,  northwest 

corner  Ninth  and  Wallace. 
A.  &  G.  McCLEMENT,  321  Chestnut  street. 

C.  D.  KNIGHT,  7  South  Sixth  street. 

HYMEN  L.  LIPMAN,  (Patent  Improved  Punch  and  Fastenei 
combined,)  32  South  Fourth  street. 


Farina,  Corn. 


M.  ALDEN,  North  Fifteenth  and  Willow. 


Fashions,  Publishers  A.  F.  WARD,  (Tailors',)  333  and  335  Chestnut  street, 
of. 


WEST  PHILAD'A  STARCH  CO..  W.  D.  Parrish,  Pres't. 


Felting,  St'm  Boiler.  H.  W.  MILLER,  Sr.,  1801  N.  Sixth,  and  5th  &  Germantown  K. 
Fertilizers.  (See  page  145.) 

39* 


482 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   ARTICLES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Files  and  Hasps. 

(See  page  331.) 


Fire  Bricks,  Tiles,  & 
Clay  Furnaces,  &c. 


Fire  Engines. 
Fire- Works. 
Fish  Hooks. 

Fishing    &    Sporting 
Tackle. 

Flags,  Banners,  &c. 
Flasks,  Pocket, 
Flour. 
Flutes,  &c. 
Fly  Nets. 

Force  Pumps. 

Forks,  Steel. 

Founding,  Iron  and 
Brass. 

Foundry  Facings. 

Frames,  Picture,  &c. 

Fringes,   Cord,  Tas- 
sels, Gimp,  &c. 


Fruits,  Preserved. 
Furnaces  &  Ranges. 

Furnishing    Goods, 
(Gentlemen^).) 

(See  page  224.) 


Furniture,  School  & 
Counting  House. 


Furniture,  Church. 
Furniture,  Iron. 
Furniture  Polish. 


JAMES  GILFEATHER,  1311  Germantown  Koad. 

J.  M.  EARNEST,  (Dentists,)858  North  Fourth  street. 

R.  MURPHY,  (Jewelers  and  Watchmakers,)  226  North  Sixth 

JOHN   B.  SMITH,  (See  page  332,)  211  New  st.,  ab.  Second. 

NEWKUMET  &  MELICK,  Vine,  near  Twenty-third  street 
ISAAC  SPIEGEL,  Jr.,  Brown,  bet.  Cherry  &  Vienna,  Kensing'a 
GEO.  SWEENEY  &  CO.,  1330  Eidge  Avenue. 
(Also,  see  page  200.) 

JOHN  AGNEW,  922  Vine  street. 


SAMUEL  JACKSON,  Federal  street,  below  7th. 
SHADEACH  HILL,  25  Bank  street. 

CHAELES  GODFREY,  104  North  Second  street. 

JOHN  KEIDEE  &  CO.,  northeast  corner  Second  and  Walnut. 

W.  H.  HOESTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 
W.  T.  FEY  4  CO.,  15  North  Sixth,  above  Market. 
[See  page  264.) 
KLEMM  i  BROTHER,  705  Market. 

MRS.  R.  MEYERS,  1534  North  Fourth,  above  Jefferson. 
GEO.  TEILL,  38  North  Third  st.,  below  Arch. 

ARTHUE,  BUENHAM  &  GILEOY,  (Burnham's  Patent  Double 

Acting,)  117  and  119  South  Tenth  street,  corner  George. 
A.  C.  BROWN,  northeast  corner  Eighth  and  Bnttonwood. 

(See  page  330.) 

(See  pages ,887  &  189.) 


COOKE  &  EMERICK,  410  Queen  street,  Kensington. 

C.  VANHORN  &  CO.,  39  North  Front,  and  15th,  cor.  Hamilton. 

(See  Picture  and  Looklng-Glass  Frames.) 

J.  B.  CHAMPROMY,  133  South  Third. 

JOHN  C.  GRAHAM,  607  Cherry  street. 

H.  W.  HENSEL,  20  North  Fourth. 

CHARLES  MEVES,  9  NorthEighth street. 

VV.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 

MILLS  B.  ESPY,  255  South  Third. 
(See  page  291.) 

C.  A.  BUTTS,  No.  27  North  Eighth  street. 
OLDENBERGH  &  TAGGART,  146  North  Fourth  st. 
JOHN  C.  REMINGTON,  217  North  Fourth  st.,  corner  of  Branch. 
WINCHESTER  &  CO.,  706  Chestnut. 

J.    W.    SCOTT,  date  of  the  firm  of  Winchester  &  Scott,)   814 
Chestnut  Street,  nearly  opposite  the  Girard  House. 

HOGUET  &  HUTTON,  (successors  to  J.  T.  Hammitt,)  259  South 

Third  street. 
(See  pages  271  and  274.) 

(See  page  274.) 

SAMUEL  MACFERRAN,  Arch,  below  Sixth. 

SAMUEL  RUE,  137  North  Tenth. 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


483 


Furs,  Plain  &  Fancy. 

(See  page  282.) 

Gaiters,  Over. 
Galvanized  Iron. 
Gas  Apparatus. 
Gas  Burners. 
Gas  Fitters  Tools,&c. 

Gas  Fixtures. 

Gas  Flexible  Tubing. 

Gas  Meters. 

Gas    Proving    Appa- 
ratus. 

Gas  Stoves. 

Gas  "Works,  Portable 

Gauges,    Steam,   Va- 
cuum and  "Water. 

German  Silver. 

• Silver  Castings. 

Gilt  Mouldings. 


Ginger,  Essence  of. 

Glass. 

Glass  Cutting. 

Glass,  Engraving  on. 

Glass  Preserv'g  Jars. 

Glass,  Stained. 

Glass  Syringes/Vials, 
and  Tubing. 

Gloves,  Mittens,  &c. 
Buckskin. 

Gloves,  Kid. 

Glue  &  Curled  Hair. 

Glycerine. 

Gold  Chains. 

Gold  Foil. 
Gold  Pens. 


P.  GRAFF,  No.  224  Arch  street. 

EMANUEL  C.  PAGE,  No.  325  Green  st.,  near  Fourth. 

J.  H.  KICHELDERFEB,  Chestnut,  above  Ninth. 

(See  page  297.) 

(See  page  321.) 

C.  GEFRORER,  111  South  Eighth  street. 

EDWARD  BORMAN,  523  Cherry  street. 
MORRIS,  TASKER  &  CO.,  Third,  below  Walnut. 

(See  page  352.) 

AMASA  STONE,  207  Quarry  street,  above  Second. 
CODE,  HOPPER  &  CO.,  (see  page  323,)  1505  Jones  st. 
I.  GEFRORER,  (for  Gas-Fitters,)  111  South  Eighth  street. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


(See  page  290.) 


STRATTON  &  BROTHER,  719  Walnut. 


DAVID  LITHGOW,  (Grimes'  Patent,)  305  Walnut  st. 


SAMUEL  CROFT,  22  Decatur  street. 

THOMAS  HARRINGTON,  rear  15  N.  Ninth  st.,  above  Market. 

EVERS  &  VOTTELER,  13  North  Eighth  st. 

FISHER  &  CO.,  141  South  Second  st. 

F.  GABRYLEWITZ,  (Premium  awarded  by  Franklin  Institute,) 

No.  47  North  Ninth  st.,  below  Arch. 
THIERRY  &  KRUSE,  North  Fourth,  corner  Branch. 

F.  BROWN,  Fifth  and  Chestnut. 
(See  page  276.) 


WILLIAM  BALL,  205  Quarry  street. 

E.  W.  USSHER,  Eighth,  below  Chestnut. 

A.  STONE  &  CO.,  412  Race  st.,  and  207  Quarry  st. 

(See  Stained  Glass,  page  278.) 


THOMAS  BURNS,  (Homoeopathic  Vials    and  Chemical  &  Phil, 
osophical  Tube  Ware,)  35  Walnut  st. 

P.  HEALY  &  CO.,  204  Walnut  st. 

MORGAN  &  WELBANK,  402  North  9th  st.,  above  Callownill. 

J.  R.  ASHFORD,  607  Callowhill  st. 

(See  Glue,  &c.,  page  218.) 

PASCOE  &  BROTHER,  (page  209,)  Cadwallader  and  Oxford. 


DREER  &  SEARS,  (see  page  344,)  Goldsmiths'  Hall. 
.STACY  B.  OPDYKE,  610  Sansom  st 

CHARLES  ABBEY  &  SONS,  (see  page  347,)  228  Pear  st. 
PETER  WALKER  &  BROTHER,  13  South  Sixth. 


484 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OP   ARTICLES. 


Gold  <fc  Silver  Loaf, 
&c. 


Gold  Spectacles. 
Qrates  and  Fenders. 
Greases,  Bl'd  Car,  &c. 
Grindstones. 
Grist  Mills. 
Guitars. 
Gun  Cotton. 

Guns,    Pistols,    and 

Rifles. 


Gun  Caps. 
Gun  Mountings. 
Gun  &  Pistol  Stocks. 
Hair,  Curled. 
Hair  Dye. 
Hair  Pins. 

Hair     Plaiting     and 
Jewelry. 


Hames,  Boot. 
Hames,  Iron. 

Hammers,  &c. 

Handles. 

Hardware. 

Harness. 

Harness  Mountings. 

Hats  and  Caps. 

Hat  &  Bonnet  Blocks 

Hat  Cases. 


Hats,  Straw  and  Pa 
iiama. 


ARNOLD  &  WILSON,  1010  Chestnut  st. 

E.  S.  HUBBARD  &  SON,  Office  107  Walnut  st. 

JAMES  E.  MITCHELL,  (and  Plaster,)  310  York  Avenue. 

T.  B.  WOODWARD  &  CO.,  Germantown  R.  and  New  Market 

J.  BERWIND,  1513  George  street. 


GARRIGUES  &  MAGEE,  108  North  Fifth. 

JOHN  KRIDER  &  CO.,  northeast  corner  Second  and  Walnut. 
TRTON,  SON  &  CO.,  625  Market,  616  St.  James  street,  and  22» 

North  Second  st. 

SHARP'S  RIFLE  FACTORY,  (see  page  337,)  Fairmount. 
UNION  RIFLE  FACTORY,  North  Second,  above  Dauphin. 

J.  WURFFLEIN,  (for  Cannon,)  210  S.  Third,  below  Walnut. 

THOS.  HARRINGTON,  rear  of  15  North  Ninth. 

ELIZA  BARRY,  1021  Melon  street,  near  Eleventh. 

(See  Glue,  &c.,  page  218.) 

GEORGE  THURGALAND,  29  South  Sixth  street. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


WILLIAM  EVETT,  28  North  Fifth  street. 
HASTINGS  &  CO.,  Fifth  and  Cresson's  Alley. 
HENRY  NELMS,  216  Pear  street,  bet.  Third  and  Dock. 

N.  E.  MORGAN,  610  Sansom  street. 


GEO.  W.  CARR  &  CO.,  (Whalebone,)  126  Willow  street. 

F.  FROMHAGEN,  9  South  Eighth  street. 

Mrs.  A.  GREEN,  439  Arch  street,  near  Fifth. 

F.  SCHALCH,  (also  Hair  Plaiting,)  336  South  Fourth. 

CHARLES  ST0BENRAUCH,  140  North  Fifth  street. 

SCHMITT  &  STUBENRAUCH,  i>28  Chestnut  street. 


HENRY  BEAGLE,  (Dray,  Cart,  Wagon,  and  Plow,)  cor.  Mag- 
nolia and  Willow  street,  above  Fifth. 

JOHN  KLUFKEE,  1351  Marlboro',  near  West  st.,  Kensington. 
PAUL  SCHWARZKOPF,  519  Emlen  st.,  ab.  Front,  bel.  Noble. 

C.  HAMMOND,  501  Commerce  street. 
(See  Tool  Handles.) 
(See  Hardware  and  Tools,  page  328.) 
(See  Saddles,  Harness,  &c.,  page  375.) 

GELBACH  &  METZGER,  (Brass,)  1241  Howard  st.,  Kensington. 
WM.  LITTLE  &  SONS,  (Ornaments,)  452  Sausom's  Alley,  Bhst 
of  Third,  between  Noble  and  Willow. 

(See  page  278.) 

JOHN  AIRMAN,  No.  141  Dock  street,  below  Second. 
CHRISTIAN  NONNENBERGER,  323  Race  st.,  bel.  Fourth. 
EDWARD  DUFRENE,  (Plaster,)  South  Seventh,  bel.  Chestnut. 

BENJ.  ANDREWS,  (Leather,)  116  North  Fourth. 
(Also,  see  Paper  Boxes.) 

ADOLPH  DESSART,  (Washing,  Dyeing,  Pressing  &  Trimming 

of  Felt,  Panama,  and  Leghorn  Hat«,)541  North  TUiird 
KLEINZ  &  FIELD,  36  North  Second  street. 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


485 


Hatters'  Trimmings, 


MAXn-ACTUKERS. 


Hat  Tip  Printing. 
Hinges,  Brass  Ship. 
Hinges,  Brass  Butt. 


Hinges,  Iron. 
Hoes. 

Hoisting  Machines. 
Hoops,  Ladies. 
Horse  Collars. 

Horse  Nails. 

Horticultural  Imple- 
ments. 

Hose  Couplings,  &c. 
Hose,  Fire  &  Garden. 

Hose,  Hempen. 
Hosiery. 

House  Furnishing  & 
Housekeeping 
Goods. 


Hubs. 

Husks,  (for  Upholsterers.) 

Hydrant  Cases. 

Hydrants. 


Hydraulic  Presses. 
Hydraulic  Bams. 

Ice-Cream  Freezers. 

Ice  Picks. 
Ice  Tools. 
Indigo  Blue. 
Indigo  Paste. 


DANIEL  DORET,  320  Chestnut,  and  -t  Hudson's  Alley. 
J.  C.  KELCH,  506  Market 

ISRAEL  AMIES,  (and  Embossing,;  25  and  27  old,  Miuor. 

F.  W.  &  G.  A.  KOHLER,  523  N.  Second,  above  Buttonwood. 

G.  W.  BRADFIELD,  (and  Silver  Plated,)  525  Jf .  12th,  near  Ridga 
Avenue. 


W.  H.  McCALLA  &  CO.,  Montgomery,  above  Front. 

GEO.  GRIFFITHS,  1  Fetter  Laue,  ab.  Arch,  bet.  3d  and  Bread. 
PRINCE'S  HOE  FACTORY,  Pennepack  CreeK. 

ROBERT  McCALVEY  &  CO.,  No.  602  Cherry  street. 
SHARON  SLEEPER,  (for  Skirts,)  1002  Market  street. 

M.  &  J.  McCOLGAN,  South  Thirteenth,  near  Market. 
WM.  R.  SCOTT,  (Patent  Leather— Irish,  Scotch,  Draft,  and  all 
other,)  119  North  Front. 

FRANK  DARDAS,  Mechanic  and  Fourth  street,  Southwark. 
GEORGE  JACKSON,  Lilley  Alley,  above  Green. 

HENRY  A.  DREER,  327  Chestnut  street. 


THOMAS  S.  SMITH,  (Branch  Pipes,)  Girard  Av.,  W.  of  12th. 

BARNETT  &  JENKINS,  112  North  Sixth  street. 

WM.  ECKFELDT,  212  N.  Thirteenth,  and  418  N.  Third  st. 

A.  STONE,  207  Quarry  street,  above  Second. 
(See  pages  240-244.) 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  711  Spring  Garden  street. 

ARTHUR,    BURNHAM  &  GILROY,    ("What   Cheer"   Yeast 

Cakes,)  117  and  119  South  Touch  street. 
ISAAC  S.  WILLIAMS,  726  Market  street. 
WM.  J.  WALKER,  (Wooden  Ware,)  819  Spruce  street. 
J.  LOUIS  &  SON,  (Wooden  Ware,)  504  Vine  street. 

(See  Spokes  and  Hubs.) 

JONATHAN  COLLINS,  rear  of  220  North  Second. 

BENJAMIN  ESLER,  26  South  Fifteenth. 

ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  (Cochrane's  Patent  Non- 
Freezing  Non-Wasting,)  117  and  119  South  Tenth,  corner 
George. 

(See  Presses.) 

A.  C.  BROWN,  (Agent  for  Holliday's  Windmill  for  Pumping 
Water,)  northeast  corner  Eighth  and  Buttonwood. 

ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  (Masser's  Patent  Five-Min- 
ute Freezer,)  117  and  119  S.  Tenth,  corner  George. 

JAMES  PATCHELL,  812  Race  street. 


LOWER  &  CO.,  712  and  714  Washington  Avenue. 

M.  GUGGENHEIM  &  CO.,  1040  North  Third,  corner  Georga 

J.  ANDREYKOVICZ,  (also  Archil,)  108  Arch  street. 


486 


PHILADELPHIA    AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Inks. 

(See  page  402.) 


Ink,  Indelible. 

Inks,  Printing. 

(See  page  175.) 

Ink-Stands. 


Instruments,  Draw'g 

Engineers  &  Sur- 
veyors. 

Mathematical  & 

Optical. 


Musical. 

Philosophical. 

Telegraphic. 

Iron. 

Irridium. 

Isinglass. 

Ivory  or  Bone  Black. 

Ivory  Turning. 

Jack  Screws. 

Jacquarcl  Machines. 

Japanning 

Japan  "Ware. 
Jet  Ornaments. 
Jewelers'  Tools. 

Jewelry. 

(See  page  342);  also,  see 
Hair  Jewelry,  Ma- 
sonic Marks,  Silver 
Ware,  &c.) 


Jewelry,  Hair. 


APOLLOS  W.  HARRISON,  26  South  Seventh  street. 

JOSEPH  E.  HOOVER,  416  Race  street. 

J.  S.  MASON  &  CO.,  138  North  Front. 

SAMUEL  SCHURCH.  (Stationer,)  240  Race  street. 

JOHN  ANNEAR,  127  North  Front  street. 


W.  C.  BAKES,  southwest  corner  Seventh  and  Bnttonwood. 


LAY  &  BROTHER,  (Black  and  Colored,)  241  Dock  street. 
L.  MARTIN  &  CO.,  215  Lodge  street,  above  Second. 


ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  (Arthur's  Patent  Air-tight— 

also  Paste  Jars,)  117  and  119  South  Tenth,  corner  George 
JACOB  KIRCHEM,  (Nock's  Patent,)  8  South  Seventh. 
HYMEN  L.  LIPMAN,  (Nock's  Patent  Round  Hinge,)  32  S.  4th. 

THEODORE  ATTENEDER,  (Patent  Joint,)  229  New  street. 
EDMUND  DRAPER,  226  Pear  street,  near  the  Post-office. 


SAMUEL  L.  FOX,  (also  Surveyors,)  537  North  Second. 

MCALLISTER  &  BROTHER,  728  chestnut  street. 

THEODORE  MUELLER,  132  Noble  st.,  corner  New  Market. 
ISAAC  SCHNAITMAN,  225  North  Fourth. 
ADOLPH  WIRTH,  704  Arch,  above  Seventh. 
WILLIAM  J.  YOUNG  £  SON,  43  North  Seventh  street. 


(See  page  408  ;  also  Pianos,  Organs,  &c.) 

L.  C.  FRANCIS,  (and  Chemical,)  100  S.  Eighth,  cor.  Chestnut. 
THEODORE  MUELLER,  132  Noble,  corner  New  Market. 

JAMES  J.  CLARK,  160  Dock  street,  corner  South  Second. 

And  its  MANUFACTURES,  page  283. 
J.  BISHOP,  207  Pear  street. 

BAEDER,  DELANY  &  ADAMSON,  14  South  Fourth. 
E.  M.  SEELEY  &  SON,  North  Second,  above  Columbia  street. 
HARVEY  &  FORD,  (also  Carving,)  422  Library  street. 
M.  W.  BALDWIN  &  CO.,  Broad  and  Hamilton. 


CHAMBERS  &  RIEHL,  1033  N.  Fourth,  bet.  Poplar  &  George. 
W.  P.  UHLINGER  &  CO.,  919  and  921  North  Second. 


D.  D.  DICK,  625  St.  James  street. 

DAVID  JONES,  413  Vine  street,  above  Fourth. 


ISAAC  S.  WILLIAMS,  726  Market  st.     And  many  others 

H.  OLIVER,  southwest  corner  Eighth  and  Arch. 

H.  H.  SMITH,  201  Carter's  Alley,  corner  Second  street. 

BAILEY  &  CO.,  819  Chestnut. 

JACOB  BENNET,  (also,  Diamond  Setting,)  326  Chestnut,  below 

Fourth. 
CARROW,  THIBAULT  &  CO.,  (successors  to  Dubosq,  Carrow  & 

Co.,)  308  Chestnut  street. 

DREER  &  SEARS,  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  418  Library  street. 
S.  B.  OPDYKE,  Sansom  steet  Hall,  rear  Jones  Hotel. 
PAYTON,  HAWKINS  &  CO.,  326  Chestnut  street. 
GEO.  W.  SIMONS  &  BROTHER,  610  Sansom  street. 

SCHMITT  &  STUBENRAUCH,  (also,  Hair  Plaiting  &  Devices  I 
928  Chestnut  street. 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


487 


Jewelry   and    Silver  C.  J.  SMITH,  1719  Lombard  street. 
Chasing. 


Kindling  "Wood. 
Knit  Goods. 


Knitting  Machines. 
(See  page  303.) 


Knives  and  Forks. 
Knives,  Mowing. 
Lace,  Coach. 

Laces,  Embroideries, 
&c. 

Ladders. 

Ladies   Dress  Trim- 
mings. 

Lager  Beer. 
Lamp  Black. 
Lamps,  Chandeliers. 
Lamps,  Coach,  &c. 
Lamp  Shades. 
Lamp  "Wick. 
Lanterns. 

Laps,  Cotton. 
Lapidary's  'Work. 
Lasts. 


Lathes. 

Laundry  "Work. 
Law  Blanks. 
Leads  for  Pencils. 
Lead  Pipe,  &c. 
Leads,  Sounding 
Lead,  Sugar  of. 
Lead,  Paints. 
Leather. 
— —  English  Kid. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


CHARLES  RUMP,  37  Haydock  street,  below  Front. 

JOHN  GADSBY  &  SONS,  (Knit  Jackets,  Shirts,  Drawers,  Scarfs, 
Cravats,  Mittens,  and  Guernsey  Shirts,)  10  Fetter  Lane. 

JOHN  LARARD,  (every  description  of  Needles  for  Knitting  Ma- 
chines,) 978  Marshall  street,  below  Franklin. 
C.  SHIRTCLIFF,  1226  Germantown  Road. 
W.  P.  DHLINGER  &  CO.,  919  and  921  North  Second  street. 


B.  RICHARDSON,  117  South  Second. 

C.  H.  LAME,  (and  Reaping,)  407  Cherry  street. 
(See  Dry  Goods,  page  245.) 


JOSEPH  RUE,  845  Parrish,  below  Ninth. 
(See  Trimmings.) 


(See  page  195.) 

L.  MARTIN  &  CO.,  215  Lodge  street,  above  Second. 

(See  page  352.) 

E.  W.  USSHER,  109  South  Eighth. 

V.  QUARRE,  805  Race  street,  above  Eighth. 

A.  STONE,  (for  Solar,  Fluid,  and  Astral,  etc.,)  207  Quarry  at 

J.  H.  ROHRMAN,  606  Cherry  street. 

CHARLES  WILHELM,    (and  Lamps,)  919  Race  street. 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  260.) 

F.  BOHRER,  (Glass  and  Stone  Cutting,)  20  Franklin  Place. 

PETER  DEWEES,  113,  (old,  31,)  Callow  hill  street. 

JACOB  FOSTER,  305  (old,  3,)  Cherry  street,  above  Third. 

J.  HOWARD  &  CO.,  (Steam,)  112  Bread  street. 

GEORGE  MUNRO,  (Anatomical,)  127  Callowhill,  below  Second. 

(See  Machinery,  page  315.) 

KOCHERSPERGER  &  CO.,  (Steam,)  645  North  Broad. 

JNO.  B.  SPRINGER,  (and  Parchment,)  S.  E.  cor.  Fifth  &  Walnut 

HYMEN  L.  LIPMAN,  (see  Pencils,)  4  Ranstead  Place. 

TATHAM  &  BROTHERS,  Delaware  Avenue,  below  South. 

JOSEPH  BAKER  &  SON,  820  Rachel,  and  821  North  Second. 

SAMUEL  GRANT,  Jr.,  &  CO.,  (see  page  208,)  139  S.  Water  st. 

(See  pages  208  and  215.) 

(Bookbinders',  Glove,  Morocco,  &c.,  see  page 357.) 

O.  R.  CORRY,  (Glove  and  Gaiter,)  455  N  Third,  ab.  Willow 


488 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


Tieather  Belting  and 
Hose. 

lienses  and  Prisms. 
Life  Preservers. 
Lightning  Bods. 


•  Points. 


Lime. 
Lithography. 

Lithographic 
chines. 


Ma- 


Locks. 


(See  page  332.) 


Bank. 

Locomotives. 

Looking-Crlass 
Frames. 

Looms. 

Swivel  &  Hand. 


Lozenges. 
Macaroni,  &c. 
Machine  Cards. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


BARNET  &  JENKINS,  112  North  Sixth  street. 

WM.  ECKFELDT,  212  N.  13th,  and  433  N.  Third  street, 

ADOLPH  WIETH,  (Simple  and  Achromatic,)  704  Arch  st. 


JOHN  THOBNLEY,  311  Chestnut  street 


THOMAS  ARMITAGE,  1206  Vine  street.  (See  page  341.) 

A.  C.  BROWN,  (Copper  and  Iron,)  N.  E.  cor.  8th  &  Buttouwood. 

F.  JAHN,  (Plated  and  Solid  Pointed  Platina,)  435  Race  street 
T.  T.  KINSEY,  207  Race  street,  above  Second. 
F.  W.  &  G.  A.  KOHLER,  528  North  Second,  ab.  Buttonwood. 
EDWARD  L.  MINTZER,  23  North  Sixth  street. 


(Super-Phosphate  of,  see  page  145.) 

(See  page  182.) 

(See  Machinery,  page  321.) 


THOS.  H.  AUROCKER,  134  North  Thirteenth. 

JULIUS  BILLERBECK,  902  Ridge  Avenue,  above  Vine  st. 

G.  W.  BRADFIELD,  (Brass,)  5fi.>  North  Twelfth  street. 

JACOB  KIRCHEM,  (Nock's  Patent,)  8  South  Seventh. 

C.  LIEBRICH,  (see  page  333,)  110  South  Eighth. 

J.  B.  SHANNON,  (.see  page  333,)  58  North  Sixth  street 

LINUS  YALE,  Jr.,  &  CO.,  (see  page  333,)  Front  &  New  sts. 

(See  page  305.) 

(See  Picture  and  Looking-Glass  Frames.) 


J-..-J 

Act 


(See  Cotton  and  Woolen  Machinery,  page  299.) 

CHAMBERS  &  RIEHL,  1033  N.  Fourth,  bet.  Poplar  &  George. 
W.  P.  UHLINGER  &  CO.,  (page  303,)  919  &  921  N.  Second  st. 

GEORGE  BATES,  1248  Hanover  st.,  Kensington. 
BOHLER,  TOMSON  &  WEIKEL,  248  N.  Third,  below  Vine. 
JAMES  SMITH  &  CO.,  Marshall  st.,  cor.  Willow,  (see  p.  302). 


Machines     and     Ma-  A.  L.  ARCHAMBAULT,  (see  p.  317,)  Fifteenth  and  Hamilton. 
chine  Work.  |M.  ALDEN,  (see  p.  324,)  Fifteenth  and  Willow  street. 

(See  pp.  299  to  329.)  BEMENT  &  DOUGHERTY,  (see  p.  316,)  2029  Callowhill. 


F.  CLAVELOUX,  109  South  Second  street. 

JAMES  FLINN  &  CO.,  (see  p.  325,)  Sixth  and  Gerinantown  K. 

J   J.  HEPWORTH,  (see  p.  302,)  cor.  Edward  and  School  streets. 

WM.  H.  HARRISON,  705  Lodge  Alley. 

R.  J.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  23  Coates  Alley.  (See  pa<je  325.) 

HUNSWORTH,  EAKINS  &  CO.,  Front,  corner  ot  Franklin 

HENRY  HOWARD,  (see  p.  320,)  Twenty-third  and  Hamilton 

GEORGE  C.  HOWARD,  (see  page  321,)  13  S.  Eighteenth. 

JOHN  JACKSON  &  CO.,  1089  and  1001  Germantown  Road. 

KING  &  DORSEY,  233  S.  Fifth,  and  Prune,  below  Fifth. 

E.  KALLENBERG  &  CO.,  rear  220  N.  Second  St.,  and  441  N.  fltn. 

JOHN  L.  KITE,  (see  page  317,)  13  Drinker's  Alley,  below  2d. 

MATTHEWS  &  MOORE,  Sixteenth  and  Fairview. 

C   B.  MELLOR,  448  North  Twelfth,  corner  Pleasant  st. 

MERRICK  &  SONS,  (see  page  327,)  430  Washington  st. 

I.  P.  MORRIS  &  CO.,  (see  paste  326,)  Office  125  Walnut  street. 

REANEY,  NEAF1E  &  CO.,  (see  p.  317,)  13.)  Beacli  street. 

WM.  SELLERS  &  CO.,  (see  p.  318,)  16th  and  Pennsylvania  Av 

OHAS   SUIRTCLIFF,  1226  Germantown  Road 

CHAS.  W.  SMITH,  13T>  North  Third  street. 

STANHOPE  &  SUPLEE,  Frankford. 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


489 


Machine     and     Ma- 
chine "Work.— 


Machine  Tools. 
Magnesia. 

Magnetic  Instru'mts. 
Mahogany. 

Malt. 

Mangles,  Patent. 

Mantels,  Marble. 

Enameled. 

Maps  and  Charts. 

(See  page  183.) 

Marble. 

Marbled  Paper. 
Masts  and  Spars. 

Masonic  &  Odd  Fel- 
lows Marks,  Jew- 
els, &e. 

Matches. 

Match  -  Stands  and 
Safes. 

Mathematical  I'mts. 
Mattresses. 
Mats,  Door,  &c. 
Meat  Mauls. 
Meat  Safes. 

Medicines. 
Medicinal  Extracts. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


J.  T.  SUTTON  &  CO.,  131  Franklin  Avenue. 
J.  &  T.  WOOD,  (see  page  301,)  Wood  street,  near  21st 
And  many  others. 

(See  page  314.) 

(See  Chemicals,  page  211.) 

WM.  C.  &  J.  NEFF,  5  South  Seventh  street. 

ALEX.  BECRAFT,  rear  426  Walnut  street. 

JOHN  EISENBREY  &  SON,  Dock,  corner  Pear  street. 

LEWIS  THOMPSON  &  CO.,  Eleventh  and  Ridge  Avenue. 

FREDERICK  GAUL,  New  Market,  corner  Callowhill. 
R.  A.  STRATTON,  1339  Cherry  st.,  near  Broad 
(See  Marble,  page  363.) 
ARNOLD  &  WILSON,  1010  Chestnut  street. 

RUFtTS  L.  BARNES,  27  Sonth  Sixth. 

S.  AUGUSTUS  MITCHELL,  31  South  Sixth. 

ROBERT  P.  SMITH,  517  Minor. 


CHARLES  WILLIAMS,  (see  page  178,)  605  Arch  street. 
D.  R.  HUMPHRIES  &  SON,  Vienna  st.  Wharf,  Kensington. 

JACOB  BENNET,  326  Chestnut  street,  below  Fourth. 
MARTIN  LEANS,  402>£  Chestnut  street. 
SAMUEL  MAROT,  434  Chestnut  street,  corner  Fifth. 
GEO.  P.  PILLING,  214  Gold  st.,  corner  Dock. 
A.  C.  SUPLEE,  326  Chestnut  street. 

JOHN  S.  HODGKINSON,  (Friction  and  German  Congreve,)  2 

Fetter  Lane,  3d  street,  between  Arch  and  Race. 
JOHN  SCHICK  &  CO.,  919  St.  John,  above  Poplar. 

C.  O.  WILSON,  (also  Wax  Matches  and   Cigar  Lights,)  727 
Race  street. 

(See  Instruments.) 

(See  Beds  and  Mattresses.) 

JAMES  CRAWSHAW,  1516  North  Second  street. 

WILLIAM  BEACH,  (Patent,)  Willow  st.,  bet.  12th  and  13th. 

W.  J.  WALKER,  819  Spruce  st.,  above  Eighth. 
J.  LOUIS  &  SON,  Vine  street,  above  Fifth. 

(See  page  212.) 

EDWARD  H.  HANCE,  (see  page  211,)  627  Arch  st. 
N.  SPEXCER  THOMAS,  (see  page  211,)  New  Market,  near  Oer 
mantown  Road. 


Medicine  Chests  and 
Medical  Saddle- 
Bags. 


Melodeons 
Metallic  Letters. 

40 


J.  M.  MIGEOD,  (Medical  Bags,)  27  South  Eighth  street. 
PEACOCK  &  FICKERT,  northeast  corner  Fifth  and  Chestnut. 
NATHAN  STARKEY,  (also  Pocket  Cases,)  116  South  Eighth, 
between  Chestnut  and  Walnut. 


MACNUTT  &  PRIOR,  108  North  Sixth. 

IHENRY  SINKLER,  (Raised  Brass,  &c.  :  also.  Card  Plates  and 
;  Engraved  Names,  for  Engines  and  Cemeteries,)  1'eniberton 
1  street,  South  of  Wallace. 


490 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Military  Feathers. 
Military  Qoods. 

Military  Ornaments 
and  Fancy  Metal 
"Work. 

Milk  Cans. 

Mill  G-earing  and 
Shafting. 

Millinery  Goods. 
Mineral  "Water. 

Mittens  and  Gloves. 

Models,  (for  Patent  Of- 
fice.) 

Morocco. 
Mouldings,  Wood. 

Moulds. 

Mowing  Machines. 

Mowing  Knives. 

Musical  Instruments 

Mustard. 

Nails,  Cut. 

Nails  and  Spikes. 


Collar. 
Nickel  and  Cobalt. 
Nickel  Silver  "Ware. 
Nitrate  of  Silver. 
Nuts,  Bolts,  &c. 
Oars  and  Sculls. 

Oils. 

Oil  &  Floor  Cloths. 

Oil  Presses. 
Omnibuses. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Mrs.  MENCH,  (Ladies  Feathers'  Dressed,   Dyed,  and  Altered,) 
510  North  Second  street,  above  Noble. 

HORSTMANN  BRO'S  &  CO.,  723  Chestnut. 

J.  H.  LAMBERT,  532  Callowhill. 

W.  G.  MINTZER,  215  North  Third  street. 


WM.  H.  GRAY,  4  Crockett's  Court,  Fifth,  above  Chestnut. 
WM.  PINCHIN,  120  Jacoby  street,  between  12th  and  13th. 
HENRY  SINKLER,  Pemberton  st.,  S.  of  Wallace,  bel.  Ridge  Av. 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  711  Spring  Garden  street. 

WM.  SELLERS  &  CO.,  (see  page  818,)  16th  and  Hamilton. 


(See  page  413.) 

J.  &  8.  S.  LIPPINCOTT,  (in  Fountains,)  916  Filbert  street. 
And  many  others. 

(See  Knit  Goods  and  Buckskin  Gloves.) 

WM.  B.  AITKEN,(in  Wood  and  Metal,)  203  Dock,  corner  2d. 
EDWARD  BORMAN  (and  Small  Machines,^  523  Cherry  street. 
THOMAS  W.  MAaON,  233  south  Fifth  street. 

(See  Leather,  &c.,  page  359.) 

BENJAMIN  ESLER,  26  South  Fifteenth. 

MATTHEW  GRIER,  (best  quality  always  on  hand  or  made  to 
order,)  Coates,  West  of  Broad,  south  side. 

(See  Bottle  Moulds,  Candle  do.,  Confectioners'  do.,  Dentists'  do.) 

SPANGLER  &  GRAHAM,  627  Market. 

C.  H.  LAME,  (also  Reaping,)  407  Cherry  street. 

(See  page  408.) 

(See  page  269.) 

(See  page  339.) 

GELBACH  k  METZGER,  (Composition,)  1211  Howard  st.,  above 

Franklin  Avenue. 
M.  McFADDEN,  Penn  street,  above  Maiden,  Kensington. 

Needles,   Mattress  &  MICHAEL  P.  PARTRIDGE,  (late  from  England,)  Blair  street, 


bet.  Norris  and  Wood  street,  Kensington. 
BUCK,  SIMONIN  &  CO.,  (See  page  208,)  121  Walnut  street. 
HARVEY  FILLEY,  (see  page  361,)  1222  Market  street. 
GARRIGUES  &  MAGEE,  108  North  Fifth.     (See  page  209.) 
HOOPES  &  TOWNSEND,(p.  334,)  Buttonwood,  bel.  Broad. 

ALBERTSON  BROTHERS,  Beach  st.,  ab.  Marlboro',  Kensiug'n, 
WOOD  &  BROTHERS,  Penu  street,  above  Poplar. 

(Linseed,  Lard,  Resin,  Sperm,  &c.  see  page  369.) 

JAMES  CARMICHAEL,  162  North  Third  street. 
THOMAS  POTTER,  (,666  p.  409,)  229  Arch  street. 

J.  &  T.  WOOD,  Wood  st.,  near  N.  Twenty-first. 
JOHNSOX  &  ADARE,  329  Broad  street. 

Ofc     ' 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


491 


MASCFACTCKERS. 


Optical  Instruments.  (See  Instruments.) 

Ordnance. 

Organ  Pipes,  Metal. 

Organs. 

Oyster  Knives. 


Packing  Boxes. 

Paging,  Blank  Book. 

Pails. 

Paints  &  Paint  Mills. 

Pans,  Patent  Bake. 

Paper  &  Paper  Mills. 

Paper   Bags,  (Machine 
Made.) 

Paper  Boxes. 

(See  p*ge  402.) 


Paper   Folding    Ma- 
chines. 

Paper  Hangings. 
Paper  Machinery. 
Paper,  Metallic. 
Paper  Kuling. 

Paper  Staining. 
Papier  Mache  Goods, 
Parasols, 

Parchment,  (and   Vel- 
lom.) 

Patent  Leather. 
Pattern  Makers. 


Pearl    Studs    &    Or- 
naments. 

Pearl  &  Shell  "Work. 


SAVERT  &  CO.,  South  Front  and  Reed. 

P.  SCHENKEL,  922  Market  street. 

J.  C.  B.  STANDBRIDGE,  2107  Chestnut.  (See  Mu».  Inst.,  p.  108.) 


S.  P.  MILLER,  309  South  Fifth. 
JACOB  SOUDER,  406  Noble. 


M.  FIFE,  3  Elbow  Lane,  between  Bank  and  South  Third. 
SUPLEE  &  MYERS,  514  East  North  street,  above  Market. 

W.  WILLARD,  439  Chestnut  street. 

(See  Cedar  and  Wooden  Ware.) 

(See  page  217.) 

WILLIAM  BEACH,  Willow  street,  between  12th  and  13th. 

(See  page  176.) 

N.  AMERICAN  PAPER  BAG  AND    ENVELOPE    MANUFAC- 
TURING CO.,  northwest  corner  Ninth  and  Wallace  street. 


JESSE  BAKER,  21  Bank  St.,  ab.  Chestnut,  between  2d  and  3d. 

MERRICK  BARNES,  102  Bread  St.,  ab.  Arch,  bet.  2d  and  3d. 

JOHN  CROMPTON,  118  North  Third  street. 

EYRE  &  HARVEY,  631  East  North  street. 

RUDOLPH  K.  KNAPP,  230  North  Third. 

GEO.  W.  PLDMLY,  (See  page  402.)  213  North  Fourth. 

HENRY  J.  SEIBEL,  525  Commerce  street. 

(See  page  161.) 


(See  page  871.) 

— — 
NELSON  GAVIT,  (see  page  319,)  222  and  224  Broad  street. 

ROBINSON  RITSON,  corner  Twenty-fourth  and  Green  street. 

THOMAS  W.  PRICE,  22  South  Fifth  and  Library.     (See  notice 
of  Machine  on  page  179.) 

W.  H.  PATTEN,  205  Arch. 

D.  D.  DICK,  625  St.  James  street. 

(See  Umbrellas,  and  page  391.) 


McNEELY  &  CO.,  64  North  Sixth  street. 


GEORGE  S.  ADLER,  131  Margaretta  street. 

W.  B.  AITKEN,  203  Dock  street. 

J.  BEESLEY  &  CO.,  (also  Patterns  for  Needle-work,)  424  Dill- 

wyn,  above  Callowhill. 

THOMAS  G.  BERING,  northwest  corner  10th  and  Ridge  Av. 
THOMAS  W.  MASON,  233  South  Fifth  street. 
C.  R.  MELLOR,  (and  Models,;  northwest  cor.  12th  &  Pleasant. 
SMITH  &  BROWN,  215  North  Second. 

EDWARD  MARKLEW,  (also  Buttons,)  15th  street,  bet.  Hamil- 
ton and  Willow,  and  1904  Hamilton. 

SAMUEL  FISHER,  1509  Linden  St.,  W.  of  15th.  ab.  Chestnut. 


492 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST   OP    ARTICLES. 


AKT1CLE8. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


A.  GBEENHALGH,  Manayunk. 


SAMUEL  FISHEE,  1509  Linden  st.,  W.  of  16th,  ab.  Chestnut. 
GEO.  W.  SIMONS  &  BROTHER,  (see  p.  345,)  610  Sansom  tt. 

HTMEN  L.  LIPMAN,  (Mears1  Propelling  Pencil,  Erasing  Pea- 
cils;  also,  Lead  and  Erasing  Pencil  combined,)  32  S.  4th  .st. 

(See  Gold  Pens ;  also  page  348.) 


Pearl  Card  Cases. 
Pearl  Mountings. 
Pencil  &  Pen  Cases. 
Pencils. 

Pens,  Gold. 
Penholders. 
Percussion  Caps. 

Perfumery.  XAVIER  BAZIN,  917  Cherry. 

(.See  page  410.)  GLENN  &  CO.,  720  Chestnut  street. 

APOLLOS  W.  HARRISON,  26  South  Seventh. 

A.  HAWLEY  &  CO.,  117  North  Fourth. 

H.  P.  &  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  641  and  643  N.  Ninth,  below  Coates. 

R.  &  G:  A.  WRIGHT  &  CO.,  35  South  Fourth. 


W.  C.  McREA,  (Patent  Adjustable,)  907  Chestnut. 
J.  WURFFLEIN,  210  South  Tenth. 


Philosophical  I'nsts. 
Photographs. 


(See  Instruments.) 
(See  Daguerreotypes.) 


Physicians'  Pocket      JOSEPH  ELLIS,  (Allopathic  &  Homoeopathic  Bottle,)101 8.  8th. 
Cases.  W.  T.  FRY  &  CO.,  15  North  Sixth  st.,  above  Market. 

H.  A.  HEUSSLER,  341  Harmony  Court,  corner  S.  Fourth. 
JACOB  LUTZ,  (Allopathic  and  Homoeopathic  Bottle,)  109  S.  8th 
NATHAN  STARKEY,  116  South  Eighth  st.,  above  Sansom. 


Piano  Fortes. 


(See  page  409.) 


Piano  Hardware. 
Pickles. 

Picture   &    Looking- 
Olass  Frames. 


Pile-Drivers. 
Pill  Boxes 
Pills. 
Pins. 
Pipes. 

Smoking. 

Pistols. 


H.  GOLDSMITH,  33  and  35  South  Tenth  street. 
HUNT  &  CO.,  345  North  Third  street. 
CONRAD  MEYER,  722  Arch  street. 
AUGUST  V.  REICHENBACH,  1230  Chestnut. 
GEORGE  VOGT,  628  Arch  street. 
And  many  others. 


H.  &  E.  GOUJON,  913  Marshall  st.,  above  Poplar. 
(See  Preserved  Food.) 

EVERS  &  VOTTELER,  13  North  Eighth  street. 

JAMES  S.  EARLE,  816  Chestnut  street. 

FISHER  &  CO.,  141  South  Second  street. 

F.  GABRYLEWITZ,  47  North  Niuth  street, 

JACOB  GRAEFF,  Master  st,,  above  Fifth 

GUNNING,  ROGERS  &  MYERS,  814  Filbert. 

JOSEPH  HILLIER,  65  North  Second  street. 

E.  NEWLAND  &  CO.,  (Medal  Awarded  by  N.  Y.  Exhib.,}  601 

Arch  street. 

PRICE  &  SANSOM,  227  Crown  st.,  between  Race  aud  Vine. 
A.  S.  ROBINSON,  910  Chestnut  street. 
DAVID  WILLIAMS,  (Packed  and  Insured  from  breakage  free 

of  charge,)  144  North  Third,  below  Race. 
E.  MASSE,  (Black  Oval  and  Passe  Partout,)  201  N.  Eighth. 

A.  L.  ARCHAMBAULT,  15th,  below  Hamilton. 

GEORGE  W.  PLUMLY,  213  North  Fourth. 

(See  page  213.) 

HENRY  MEHL,  (Parisian  Roundhead,)  353  N.  Fourth  st. 

(See  Gas  Pipes,  p.  322;  Drain  Pipes,  p.  200.) 

J.  RICHARDS,  Oxford  st.,  ab.  Frankford  Road,  Kensington. 



(See  Guns.) 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   ARTICLES. 


493 


Planes. 


Planing  Mills. 

(See  page  395.) 


Plaster  of  Paris. 
Plaster  Ornaments. 

Plated  "Ware. 
Platina  "Work. 
Plows. 
Plumes. 
Pocket-Books. 

Porcelain  "Ware. 

Port     Monaies,     Ca- 
bas, &c. 


Porter. 
Portfolios. 

Potassium,  Cyan.  of. 
Pottery. 
Poudrette. 
Preserved  Food. 

Presses. 

Presses,  Copying  and 
Seal. 

Presses,  Printing. 
Presses,  Screw. 

Printing,    Book   and 
Fancy. 

Printing  for  Blind. 

Printing,  Plate. 

(See  p.  180,) 

Printers'  Furniture. 
Print  "Works. 
Prussiate  of  Potash. 

Publishing,   Book. 
Newspaper    and 
Magazine. 
40* 


MXNCPACTL-BER8. 


S.  H.  BIBIGHAUS,  258  North  Third  street. 
B.  8HENEMAN  &  BROTHER,  733  Market 


NAYLOR  &  CO.,  639  North  Broad. 
GEO.  B.  SLOAT  &  CO.,  1129  Beach  street. 
And  many  others. 

(See  page  145.) 

E.  DUFRENE,  (also  Figures,)  Seventh,  below  Chestnut. 
THOMAS  HEATH,  (also  Figures,)  8.  W.  corner  llth  and  Arch. 
WM.  H.  FRENCH,  (Architectural,)  18th  and  Chestnut. 

(See  Silver  Plated  Ware.) 

J.  BISHOP,  (Chemical  Apparatus,)  207  (old  No.,  6,)  Pear  street. 

SAVERY  &  CO.,  South  Front,  below  Reed. 

Mrs.  MENCH,  510  N.  Second,  bet.  Noble  and  Buttonwood. 

PEACOCK  &  FICKERT,  Fifth  and  Chestnut. 
JOSEPH  LAUGHLIN,  300  Walnut  street. 


PORCELAIN  FACTORY,  Germantown  Road. 

H.  A.  HEUSSLER,  (and  Fancy  Leather  articles,)  341  Harm  an- 

street,  corner  Fourth. 

GEORGE  FISCHER,  Agent,  7  South  Eighth. 
CHARLES  RUMPP  &  CO.,  118  North  Fourth. 
And  many  others. 

(See  page  192.) 

ARTHUR,  BURNHAM  &  GILROY,  (Arthur's  Patent  Elastic  ) 
117  and  119  South  Tenth,  corner  George. 

BENJ.  J.  CREW  &  CO.,  (see  p.  209,) 
(See  page  201.) 
(See  page  145.) 

MILLS  B.  ESPY,  (see  page  269.)  255  South  Third 
J.  L.  WENDELL,  310  South  Front. 


(Brick,  Hydraulic,  Oil :  see  Machinery,  p.  302.) 

E.  KALLENBERG,  rear  220  N.  Second,  and  441  N.  Ninth. 


(See  page  320.) 

CHARLES  DIEDRICHS,  (and  all  other  kinds,)  31  Vine  street. 

(See  page  173.) 


(See  page  174.) 


HENRY  QUIG;  115  South  Seventh. 


(See  page  321.) 

(See  Dry  Goods.) 

CARTER  A  SCATTERGOOD,  (seep.  210,) 304 Arch  street 

(See  page  149.) 


494 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Pumps. 
Putty. 
Quills. 
Quinine. 
Bailing,  Iron. 


(See  page  295.) 


Railway  Machinery. 
Bakes,  Hand,  &c. 
Banges,  Cooking. 


Battan    and.  "Whale- 
bone. 

Bat  &  Mouse  Traps. 

Bazors. 

Bazor  Strops. 

Bectifying  "Whisky. 
Beeds  and  Hcddles. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


(See  Machinery,  Machine  Work,  Air  Pumps,  Force  Pumps,  &c.) 

(See  Chemicals,  page  217.) 

SAMPEL  SCHDECH,  (Stationer,)  240  Hace  street. 

(See  pages  207-208.) 

WOOD  &  PEROT,  (see  pages  295  and  450,)  Eidge  Avenue,  be- 
low Spring  Garden  street. 
J.  LANE,  224  Callowhill,  below  Third. 
JOSEPH  E.  SASS,  (Plain  and  Fancy,  Wrought  and  Cast  Iron,) 

133  Elfreth's  Alley,  below  Second,  first  street  above  Arch. 
E.  W.  SHIPPEN  &  CO.,  Market  street,  West  Philadelphia. 
And  many  others. 

(See  page  304 :  ajso,  Cars,  Axles,  Wheels,  &c.) 
(See  Agricultural  Implements.) 


JOHN  ESTLIN,  231  North  Fifth  street. 
(See  page  291.)  EAND  &  AYEES,  124  North  Sixth  street. 
And  many  others. 


GEOEGE  W.  CAEE  &  CO.,  126  Willow  st.,  above  Front. 


C.  0.  WILSON,  727  Eace  st,,  bel.  Eighth. 
WILLIAM  GILCHKIST,  445  North  Broad. 

C.  T.  HAYNES,  (Diamond  Strop  and  Powder  for  Razors  and 
Surgical  Instruments,)  No.  6  Lagrange  Place. 

(See  page  231.) 

M.  MONGAN  &  SON,  114  8.  Second,  entrance  201  Carter  street. 
JACOB  SENNEFF,  230  Quarry,  Office  28  North  Front. 


Refining,     Gold    and  DEEEB  &  SEAES,  (see  page  345,)  Library  street. 
Silver. 

Beflectors,  Daylight. 

Befrigerators,  "Water 
Coolers  &  Filters. 

Begalia. 


Revolvers. 

Bibbons. 

Bines. 

Bigging. 

Bivets. 

Boach  &  Fly  Traps. 

Boiling  Mills. 

RooflngComposition. 

Roofing,  Metallic. 
Rope,  Twines,  &c. 


WILLIAM  F.  PULLINGEE,  1  Carter's  Alley 

GEOEGE  W.  NICKELS,  606  Cherry  street. 
JONES  YEEKES,  105  South  Second  street. 

HORSTMANN  BEO'S  &  CO.,  723  Chestnut  street. 
JAMES  KELLY,  146  North  Sixth. 

(See  Guns  and  Pistols.) 

W.  H.  HOESTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 

(See  Guns,  &c.) 

WILLIAM  HUGG  &  SONS,  1053  Penn  street. 

PHILLIPS  &  ALLEN,  (See  page  334,)  Penn'a  Av.,  near  23d. 

C.  O.  WILSON,  727  Eace  street,  below  Eighth. 

(See  page  286.) 

H.  M.  WAEEEN&CO.,Farquhar  Buildings,  Walnut  st.,  bel.  3d. 


Karqi 
).,  H. 


THOMAS,  ALLEN  &  CO.,  N.  Ninth  and  Girard  Avenue 

E.  S.  HAEEIS  &  CO.,  (Corrugated  Iron,)  S.  E.  cor.  llth  &  Prjae, 
And  many  others. 

'(See  page  873.) 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


495 


Rosin  OIL 


Rotten  Stone,  Prep'd  GAKRIGUE3  &  MAGEE,  108  North  Fifth  street. 


Rouge,    Polishing, 
(for  Jewelers.) 

Rubber,  India. 
Ruches. 

Rules,    Gauging    In- 
struments, &c. 

Saddle-Bags. 

Saddlery  &  Harness. 
(See  page  375.) 


Saddlers'  Tools. 
Saddle-Trees. 
Saddlery  Hardware. 


Safes  and  Fire  Proof 


MANUFACTURERS. 


(See  page  370.) 


Mrs.  M.  8.  WEST,  Spruce  street,  above  Third. 


JOHN  THORNLET,  311  Chestnut  street. 
JOEL  THOMAS,  26  S.  Fifth  street. 


J.  E.  CARPENTER,  862  North  Fourth,  below  Poplar. 


(See  Medical  Saddle-Bags.) 

WM.  8.  HANSELL  S  SONS,  114  Market  street. 
M.  MAGEE  &  CO.,  18  Decatnr. 
LACEY  &  PHILLIPS,  30  and  32  Sonfli  Seventh. 
W.  R.  SCOTT,  (Collars,)  119  North  Front  street. 
And  many  others. 


HENRY  HUBER,  Jr.,  4  North  Fifth  street. 


C.  PRUDDEN,  Willow  street,  bet.  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth. 

E.  HALL  OGDEN,  (see  page  340,)  Ninth  and  Jefferson 
KIRCHNER  &  STICKEL,  (Steel  Bitts,  Hames,  Rings,  Eyes,  Pad 

Plates,  Hooks,  Sterrets,  &c.)  rear  of  309  Race. 
PAUL  SCHWAHTZKOPF,  (Iron  and  Steel  Chains,  Buckle*,  &c.) 

519  Emlen  St.,  ab.  Front,  between  Noble  and  Peg. 

EVANS  4  WATSON,  26  South  Fourth.  (See  page  453.) 


Chests.  FARREL,  HERRING  ft  CO.,  130  Walnut 

(See  page  296.)  LINUS  YALE,  Jr.  &  CO.,  (.Chilled  Iron  Burglar  Proof,)  Front  & 

Newsta. 
JONES  YERKES,  (Salamander,)  105  South  Second  street. 


Sails. 


Saleratus  &  Sal.  Soda 
Salt,  Dairy. 
Salts,  Bleaching,  &c. 
Sand,  "Writing. 

Sashes,  Doors,  Blinds 
&c. 


Satchels,  Fancy 
Leather. 

Sausage  Staffers. 

Sawing,    Scroll    and 
Pattern. 


Saw  Mills. 

Saws. 

Scaffolds,  Portable. 

Scales  and  Balances. 


McDONALD  &  LAUGHUN,  16  N.  Delaware  Av.  and  3  Dock. 
RICHARD  F.  SHANNON,  248  North  Delaware  Avenue. 

BURGIN  &  SONS,  133  Arch  street. 


CONRAD  KNIPE,  328  and  330  Noble  street,  below  Fourth. 

(See  page  208.) 

JOHN  W.  CLOTHIER,  72  North  Fourth  street. 

COGILL  &  WILT,  423  North  Front,  above  Callowhill. 
MATTHEW  GR1ER,  Coates  St.,  W.  of  Broad,  south  side. 
ABEL  REED,  Marshall  and  Girard  Av.,  and  215  North  Second. 
And  many  others. 

J.  T.  MIDNIGHT,  (also  Leather  Baskets,  Bags,  ic.)  145  North 
Fourth  street. 


MICHAEL  HEY,  637  North  Third  street. 

MATTHEW  GRIER,  Coates  st.,  W.  of  Broad,  south  side. 
JOSEPH  RUE,  845  Parrish  street. 
And  many  others. 


GILLINGHAM  &  GARRISON  (420,  old  No.),  Queen  street. 
(See  page  330.) 

A.  C.  FUNSTON,  (Self-supporting-,)  Frankford  Ed.,  opp.  Master. 
(See  page  335.) 


496 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OF   ARTICLES. 


Scales,  Platform. 
Scagliola. 

Scariflcators   and 
Spring  Lancets. 

Screws,  Coffln. 
Screwdrivers,  &c. 
Screws,  "Wood. 
Screws,  Wooden. 
Screw  Propellers. 
Scuttles,  Coal. 

Seeds,  Garden,  &c. 

(See  page  142.) 

Seines  and  Nets. 

Settees. 

Sewing  Machines. 

Sewing— Machine. 
Sewing  Silks. 

Shawls. 

Shears  &  Scissors. 

Sheetings  and  Shirt- 
ings. 

Sheet  Iron. 
Sheet  Iron  "Ware. 
Ship  Bread. 
Ship  Building. 
Ship  Lanterns. 


H.  &  E.  GOUJON,  913  Marshall  st.,  above  Poplar. 
HARMAN  BAUGH,  (Bench,  Hand,  &c.)  125  Blfreth's  Alley. 
REANEY,  NEAFIE  &  CO.,  (See  page  317,)  13«5  Beach. 
GEORGE  GRIFFITHS,  1  Fetter  Laue,  Third,  above  Arch. 

HENRY  A.  DREER,  327  Chestnut. 

B.  P.  MINGLE  &  CO.,  103  Market,  and  4  North  Front. 

C.  B.  ROGERS,  111  Market  street. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


(See  page  336.) 

E.  DUFRENE,  Seventh,  below  Chestnut. 

THOMAS  HEATH,  southwest  corner  Eleventh  and  Arch. 

F.  LEYPOLDT,  508  E.  North  St.,  bet.  5th  &  6th,  ab.  Arch. 


HENRY  CALVERLY,  (also  Studs,  Plates,  &c.)  207  Quarry  st. 
HORN  &  ELLIS,  307  Race  street. 


HENRY  BEIDEMAN,  Market  St.,  bel.  2d,  S.  side,  (basement.) 
BENJ.  H.  BRAYMAN,  57  North  Front. 


PARHAM'S  MANUFACTORY,  George,  below  Tenth. 

GEORGE  B.  SLOAT  &  CO.,  1229  Beach  street. 

W.  P.  UHLINGER  &  CO.,  North  Second,  above  Oxford. 

W.  H.  TAYLOR,  (also,  Stitching  and  Quilting,)  Chestnut  stre«, 
above  Fourth. 


B.  HOOLEY  &  SON,  (seepage  249,)  16  Hudson's  Alley,  below 
Chestnut,  between  Third  and  Fourth. 

(See  page  238.) 

CLARENBACH  &  HERDER,  (Patent  Cast  Steel,)  634  Arch,  and 
235  Race. 


(See  page  236.) 


ALLAN  WOOD  &  CO.,  (Imitation  Russia,  &c.)  39  N.  Front  st. 
GEORGE  GRIFFITHS,  1  Fetter  Lane.  Third,  above  Aroh. 
(See  Crackers,  &c.) 
(See  page  379.) 

GEO.  L.  FLICK,  (Bow,  Signal,  Binnacle  and  Fresno!,)  141  N 
Front. 


Ship  Locks,  Bolts,  &c.  F.  W.  &  G.  A.  KOHLER,  (Brass,)  628  N.  2d,  ab.  Buttonwood. 


Shirts,   Collars,    Bo- 


soms, &c. 


(See  p.  224.) 


Shoes,  Gaiters,  &c. 


C.  A.  BUTTS,  27  North  Eighth  street. 

DAVIS  &  HOFF,  223  Church  Alley. 

EDWIN  A.  KELLEY,  (see  page  224,)  16  Bank  st. 

OLDENBERGH  &  TAGGART,  146  North  Fourth. 

JOHN  C.  REMINGTON  217  N.  Fourth,  corner  Branch. 

J.  W.   SCOTT,  (late  of  Winchester  &  Scott,)  814  Chestnut, 

nearly  opposite  the  Girard  House. 
WINCHESTER  &  CO.,  706  Chestnut  street. 



(See  page  185.) 


pers. 


Shoe  and  Gaiter  Up-  JACOB  0.  PATTEN,  62  N.  Third  St.,  below  Arch. 


JACOB  GILLER,  northwest  corner  Eighth  and  Market. 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF   ARTICLES 


497 


Shoemakers'  Tools. 


Shot. 

Shovels,  Spades,  &c. 
(See  page  331.) 


Show  Cards,  Prem'm 


Show    and   Counter 
Cases. 


Shuttles. 

(See  page  303.) 

Shutter  Bolts. 
Sieves  and  Screens. 

Signs,  Letters,  &c. 

Silk    Bonnets    and 
Bonnet  Frames. 

Silk  Dyeing. 
Silk  Moulds. 
Silver,  Nitrate  of. 

Silver  Ware. 

(See  page  342.) 


Silver-plated  "Ware. 

(See  page  348.) 


Silver  Plating. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


C.  H.  BLITTERSDORF,  N.  Fourth,  above  Callowhill. 
HORN  &  ELLIS,  307  Race  street. 

THOMAS  SPARKS,  121  Walnut  street. 

T.  &  B.  ROWLAND  &  CO.,  Office,  601  Commerce. 
GEO.  GRIFFITHS,  1  Fetter  Lane,  Third,  above  Area. 
And  many  others. 

STEELE  &  GLEASON,  (Premium  awarded  by  Penn'a  Institute,) 
109  North  Seventh  street. 


BEAL  &  FORM  AN,  (also  Aquariums,)  153  North  Fourth. 
FRED'K  HAFNER,  Vine,  below  Second. 
JACOB  LUTZ,  109  South  Eighth. 

E.  JACKSON,  933  Charlotte  st.,  above  Poplar. 
HENRY  SERGESON,  931  Charlotte  st.,  above  Poplar. 

SELSOR,  COOK  &  CO.,  Germantown. 
RIDGEWAY  &  RUFE,  Germantown. 

C.  0.  WILSON,  (Coal  Ash,)  727  Race  street. 
(Also,  see  WIRE  WORK,  page  338.) 

WM.  C.  MURPHY,  47  South  Third  street. 

AARON  E.  CARPENTER,  (Sign  of  the  Ostrich,)  54  N.  Sth  st. 
LINCOLN,  WOOD  &  NICHOLS, (see  page  414,)  725  Che.stuut. 
JAMES  TELFORD,  903  North  Second,  above  Poplar. 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  249.) 

OLLIS  &  BROTHER,  Beach  and  Shackamaxon. 

(See  page  209.) 

BAILEY  &  CO.,  (see  page  348,)  819  Chestnut. 
W.  FABER,  (Forks  and  Spoons,)  214  North  Fifth 
TAYLOR  &  LAURIE,  520  Arch  street. 
W.  WILSON  &  SON,  corner  Fifth  and  Cherry. 

HARVEY  FILLEY,  (and  Nickel  Silver,)  1222  Market. 
EDWIN  GUEST,  110  South  Eighth  street, 
G.  ENGEL,  308  Chestnut  st. 
J.  S.  JARDEN  &  BRO.,  304  Chestnut  street. 
ERNEST  KAUFFMAN,  328  Noble  street. 

JOHN  0.  MEAD  &  SONS,  (see  page  349,)  843  Chestnut,  corner 
Ninth. 


Skirts,  Clastic. 
Slates,  Pat'nt  School. 
Slaw  Cutters. 
Sleighrunners. 


THOS.  H.  AUROCKER,  northwest  cor.  Thirteenth  and  Cherry.; 
G.  W.  BRADFIELD,  526  N.  12th  st.,  corner  Ridge  Avenue. 
J.  BILLERBECK,  902  Ridge  Avenue. 
PHILIP  CLINE,  Fifth  and  Buttonwood. 
FRANCIS  JAHN,  435  Race  St.,  near  Fifth. 
W.  PAINE,  Willow  st.,  below  Sixth. 
SCHEERER  &  DIEHR,  237  North  Fourth  street. 
SEDDINGER  &  BURWELL,  216  Arch  st.,  above  Second. 
J.  B.  SHANNON,  58  North  Sixth  street. 


M.  BIRD,  (also  Spring  Skirt  Cord,)  227.  Franklin  Avenue. 
ZEBULON  LOCKE,  (see  page  368,)  637  North  Broad. 
JOSEPH  LEWIS,  Germantown  Road,  below  Diamond. 

ALFRED  RUHL,  (also  Poles  &  Shafts,)  N.  W.  corner  Eighth  and 
Wood. 


498 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Smelting  of  Metals. 


Snuff.    (See  p.  388.) 

Soap  and  Candles. 

(See  page  383.) 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Soaps.Fancy&Toilet. 
(See  page  410.) 


Soapstone.  (See  p.  367.) 

Soda- Ash. 

Soda  "Water  Syrups. 

Apparatus. 

Sofa  Springs. 
Solder. 

Sour-Grout  Cutters. 

Spectacles. 

(See  page  348.) 


Spectacle  Cases. 
Spices,  &c. 
Spice  Mills. 

Spirit  &  Plumb  Lev- 
els. 

Spokes,  Felloes  and 
Hubs. 

Spooling  and  Bobbin 
Machines. 

Spoons  &  Porks,  Silv. 

(See  also  Silver  Ware.) 

Springs. 
Stained  Glass. 
Btair  Bods. 


RICHARD  WEST,  1247  Shackamaxon  st.,  Kensington.  (Always 
on  hand  and  for  sale  the  best  quality  of  INGOT  BRASS.  Cash 
paid  for  Brass  Turnings  and  Filings,  Lead  &  Type  Dross,  &c.) 

COOPER  &  WALTER,  northwest  corner  llth  and  Melon. 

FRANCIS  CONWAY,  114  and  118  Relief  street. 

WILLIAM  CONWAY,  (see  page  384,)  316  S.  2d,  below  Spruce. 

JOHN  COOK,  1625  Market  street. 

G.  DALLETT  &  CO.,  122  and  1319  Market,  and  northeast  corner 

Tenth  and  Callowhill. 

E.  DUFFY  &  SON,  912  and  914  Filbert  street. 
G.  M.  ELKINTON  &  SON,  (also  Chemical  Olive,)  116  Marga- 

retta  st.,  bet.  Front  and  Second,  above  Callowhill. 
EPHRAIM  WILSON,  1095  Germantown  Rd,,  opp.  Second  st. 
A.  VAN  HAAGEN  &  CO.,  (Magic  Detersive,)  Cadwalader  st., 

above  Columbia. 

And  many  others. 

GLENN  &  CO.,  726  Chestnut. 

APOLLOS  W.  HARRISON,  (see  page  411,)  26  South  Seventh. 

A.  HAWLEY  &  CO.,  117  North  Fourth  street. 

H.  P.  &  W.  C.  TAYLOR,  641  and  643  N.  9th,  below  Coates. 

THOMAS  WORSLEY,  518  Prune  street,  between  5th  and  6th. 

R.  &  G.  A.  WRIGHT,  (see  page  411,)  35  South  Fourth. 

EZRA  PRATT,  127  North  Sixth  street. 
(See  Chemicals,  pp.  207-208.) 


EDWARD  H.  HANCE,  627  Arch  street. 


THOMAS  THOMPSON,  SON  &  CO.,  238  South  Second. 

JOSEPH  BAKER  &  SON,  (Spelter  and  Tinmen's,)  820  Rachel, 
or  821  North  Second. 


JOHN  LOUIS  &  SON,  504  Vine  St.,  above  Fifth. 

WM.  BARBER,  110  South  Eighth  street,  below  Chestnut. 

MCALLISTER  &  BROTHER,  728  Chestnut  street. 

NATHAN  E.  MORGAN,  610  Sansom. 

SAMUEL  FOX,  537  North  Second,  above  Noble. 

ISAAC  SCHNAITMANN,  225  North  Fourth. 

H.  A.  HEUSSLER,  northeast  cor.  Fourth  and  Harmony  Court. 
BOHLER,  TOMSON  &  WEIKEL,  248  N.  Third,  below  Vine. 
C.  J.  FELL  &  BROTHER,  (see  page  269,)  120  South  Front. 

J.  E.  CARPENTER,  862  North  Fourth,  below  Poplar. 

WM.  GOLDSMITH,  northwest  corner  Green  and  New  Market. 

ELDRIDGE  &  FITLER,  1028  North  Front. 

GEO.  J.  HENKELS,  (Hubs,)  North  Sixth,  above  Thompson. 

JOHN  JACKSON  &  CO.,  (also  Warp  Mills,  Reels,  and  Temples,) 
1089  and  1091  Germantown  Road,  opp.  Second  stree 

WILLIAM  FABER,  214  North  Fifth  st.,  above  Race. 
JABEZ  E.  WOOD,  North  Fifteenth,  corner  Hamilton. 

(See  Car  Springs  and  Carriage  do.,  Sofa  do.) 

(See  Glass,  page  278.) 

WILER  &  MOSS,  (see  page  191,)  225  South  Fifth  street. 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST    OF   ARTICLES. 


499 


Starch. 


Stationery. 
(Also  see  Blank  Books, 
page  178.) 


Statues. 
Steam  Engines. 

Steam    Keating   Ap- 
paratus. 

Steamers. 

Stearin  Candles. 

SteeL 

Steel  Engraving. 

Steelyards. 

Stencil  Cutting. 

Stereotyping  &  Elec- 
trotyping. 

(See  page  172.) 

Stocks,  Hair. 
Stocks,  Ties,  &c. 
Stockings. 
Stockings,  Elastic. 
Stone-Cutters'  Tools. 


Stoneware. 
Stoves. 


(See  page  290.) 


Straw  Goods 
Street  Lamps, 

Street-Sweeping  Ma- 
chines. 

Sugar,  Refined. 
Sugar  Apparatus. 
Sulphuric  Acid, 
Surgical  Instrum'ts. 
Surveyors'  Inst'mts. 
Suspenders. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


WEST  PHILADELPHIA  STAKCH  CO.,  Chestnut  and  Bridge- 
water  street. 


JOHN  GLADDING,  117  and  529  South  Second. 

DAVID  M.  HOGAN,  418  Walnut. 

HYMEN  L.  LIPMAN,  26  South  Fourth  street,  (second  story). 

PIERSON  &  DIAMENT,  136  and  138  N.  Fourth,  cor.  Cherry 

SAMUEL  SCHURCH,  240  Race  street 

JOHN  B.  SPRINGER,  Fifth  and  Walnut 

C.  P.  PEERY,  (Bookbinder  &  Publisher,)  8.  W.  cor.  4th  &  Race 

(Iron,  see  page  295 ;  Marble,  see  page  365.) 
(See  Machinery,  £c. ;  also  page  316.) 

JOHN  L.  KITE,  (Kite's  Patent  Ventilating,)  13  Drinker's  Alley, 
147  North  Second. 

(See  Ship  Building ;  also,  see  pp.  318-327.) 

(See  Candles,  page  384.) 

(See  page  287.) 

(See  page  181.) 

JOHN  STEEL  &  CO.,  (Patent  Balances,)  Farmer,  near  7th 

C.  E.  FISK  &  SON,  13  South  Sixth  st.,  (basement.) 

B.  SACHS,  306  Market  st.,  above  Third. 

GEORGE  CHARLES,  609  Sansom  street. 
JOHN  FAGAN,  623  St.  James  street. 
L.  JOHNSON  &  CO.,  606  Sansom  street. 
MEARS  &  DUSENBERY,  322  Harmony  street. 

S.  P.  SMITH,  (also  Frames,  Springs,  Fasteners,)  1026  Chestnut. 

C.  A.  BUTTS,  (also  Cravats,  Scarfs,)  27  North  Eighth  street. 
(See  Hosiery.) 

(See  page417. ) 

MILTON  FORMAN,  (also  Awning  Frames,)  668  Broad  street, 
below  Ridge  Avenue,  West  side. 

(See  page  201.) 

ABBOTT  &  LAWRENCE,  410  Brown  street. 
NORTH,  CHASE  &  NORTH,  209  North  Second. 
(See  also  Iron  Founding,  Ranges,  &c.) 

(See  page  413.) 

CHAS.  WILHELM,  (also,  Hall,  Hotel,  &c.)  919  Race  street. 

KING  A  HYNEMAN,  233  South  Fifth,  and  Prime,  below  Fifth, 


(See  page  386.) 

(See  pages  192-328.) 

(See  Chemicals,  pp,  207-210.) 

(See  page  415.) 

(See  Instruments.) 

J.  J.  HEBERSTECK,  1109  North  Third  street. 


500 


PHILADELPHIA   AND    ITS    MANUFACTURES. 


Syringes,  Glass. 

Metallic. 

Swords  &  Side  Arms 
Tables,  Extension. 
Tags,  Tickets,  &o. 
Tailors'  Implements, 

Tailors'  &  Sad  Irons. 
Tanning  it  Currying. 
Tape. 
Taxidermy. 

Tea  Boxes  and  Canis- 
ters. 

Tea  Services. 
Teeth,  Porcelain. 
Telegraph  Inst'mts. 
Telescopes. 
Terra  Gotta. 

Thermometers    and 
Barometers. 

Thimbles,  Gold  and 
Silver. 

Threshing  Machines. 

Tickings. 

Tiles. 

Tin   Boxes,   Canis- 
ters, &c. 


Tin,  Crystals  &  Salts 
of. 

Tin  Lamp  Shades. 


Tin  and   Metallic 

Booting 


Tinware. 


(See  page  417.) 


MANUFACTURERS. 


THOMAS  BURNS,  119  Walnut 
(See  Britannia  Ware.) 


WM.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets. 
HOGTTET  &  BUTTON,  (Book-cases,  Wardrobes,  &c.,)  259  S.  3d. 
WM.  E.  LOCKWOOD,  (Sharp's  Patent,)  236  Chestnut. 

A.  F.  WARD,  (Inch  Measures,   Crayons,   Scales,  Protractors, 

Squares,  &c.)  333  and  335  Chestnut  street 
J.  E.  CARPENTER,  (Squares,  &c.)  862  N.  4th,  below  Poplar. 

MORRIS  L.  KEEN,  West  Philadelphia. 

(See  Leather,  page  337.) 

(See  Bindings  and  Webbing ;  also  page  236.) 

JAMES  TAYLOR,  1916  Callowhill. 

J.  HALL  ROHRMAN,  (Japanned,)  606  Cherry  street. 


JOHN  0.  MEAD  &  SONS,  (Plated,)  Ninth  and  Chestnut. 
(See  Artificial  Teeth,  and  page  398.) 

JAMES  J.  CLARK,  S.  E.  corner  Second  and  Dock  streets. 
ADOLPH  WIRTH,  704  Arch,  above  Seventh. 

LORENZE  STAUDACHER,  (see  page  201,)  1742  North  Eleventh, 
above  Columbia. 

(See  Philosophical  Instruments.) 


GEORGE  P.  PILLING,  214  Gold  street. 

GEO.  W.  SIMONS  &  BROTHER,  (see  p.  345,)  Sansom  st.  HalL 

DAVID  LANDRETH  &  SON,  21  and  23  South  Sixth. 
(See  Dry  Goods,  page  235.) 
(See  pages  200-365.) 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  (Preserving  Cans,)  711  Spring  Garden  st. 
JOHN  S.  HODGKINSON,  (also  Druggists'  Tinware,)  2  Fetter 
Lane,  Third,  above  Arch. 

(See  Chemicals,  pages  207-209.) 


CHARLES  WILHELM,  (Patent  Transparent  Fancy  Countiug- 
House  and  Nursery  Shades,  and  Patent  Mica  Shade  Protect- 
ors,) 919  Race  street. 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  711  Spring  Garden  street. 

GUMMING  &  BRODIE,  (and  Composition,)  29  North  Seventh. 

W.  GILBERT,  7  South  Seventh  street. 

SAMUEL  POWELL,  412  South  Second,  below  Pine. 

CHARLES  WILHELM,  919  Race  street,  above  Ninth. 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  (Improved  Milk-Cans  and  Buckets,  Ice- 
cream Freezers,  &c. ;  also,  Gas-Consuming  Sheet-Iron  Stoves,) 
711  Spring  Garden  street. 

W.  GILBERT,  (Plain  and  Planished  ;  also,  Milk-Cans,  Fancy 
Gas  Lamps,  &c.,)  7  South  Seventh  street. 

SAMUEL  POWELL,  (Milk,  Cream,  &  Oil  Cans,  &c.,)  412  S  2d- 


ALPHABETICAL   LIST   OP   ARTICLES. 


501 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Tinware.— Continued.      CHARLES  WILHELM,   (Models    executed  after  designs,)  919 
(See  page  417.)  I     Kace  street. 

ISAAC  S.  WILLIAMS,  (seepage  417,)  726  Market 


Tobacco  Manufact'rs 
Tool  Handles. 


Toys. 


Tops  and  Tubes,  for 
Lamps. 

Transparencies. 

Traps. 

Trimmings,  Carriage 

,  Ladies  Dress. 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  244.) 


-,  Upholstery. 


Trowels. 
Trucks,  Store. 

Trunks,  Valises,  &c. 
(See  page  378.) 


Trunk    and  Valise 
Frames. 

Trusses  &  Bandages. 
(See  page  417.) 


Tubs. 
Tubes. 


Turning,  Bone,  Ivo- 
ry &  Fancy  Wood. 


Turning,  "Wood. 
41 


(See  page  388.) 

H.  B.  ANTRIM,  713  North  Broad,  corner  Wallace. 

WM.  G.  BAMBREY,  (Shoemakers'  and  Machinists',)  223  Crown 

street,  above  Race. 
JOSEPH  RUE,  (Hammer,  Plane,  Hand  Saw,  Axe,  Pick,  and 

Auger,  &.c.)  845  Parrish  street 

JOHN  DOLL,  (Checkers.  Paper  Babies,  Snake  Games,  &c.)  144 

North  Second,  above  Arch. 

LUDWIG  GREINER,  414  North  Fonrth,  above  Callowhill. 
HADDEN,  CARLL  &  PORTER,  (Tin,)  130  North  Second. 
J.  B.  SHAW,  (Drums,  Boats,  Ac.)  1023  Chestnut 

J.  T.  VANKIRK,  Agent,  Frankford,  (for  Kerosene  &  Brecken- 
ridge  Oils ;  also,  Brass  Fluid  Tubes  and  Extinguishers.) 

M.  ROBINSON  &  CO.,  (for  Exhibitions  ;  also,  Sign  Writing,)  19 

North  Second. 
(See  Rat  and  Roach  Traps.) 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  245.) 

J.  B.  CHAMPROMT,  133  North  Third  street. 
JOHN  C.  GRAHAM,  607  Cherry  street. 
H.  W.  HENSEL,  (see  page  247,)  20  North  Fourth. 
W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  (see  page  246,)  Fifth  and  Cherry. 
CHARLES  MEVES,  9  South  Eighth  street. 
J.  G.  MAXWELL  &  SON,  Eleventh  and  Chestnut. 
And  many  others. 

G.  T.  BECHMAN,  (Blind,  Shade,  &c.,)  3d  and  Callowhill. 
W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS,  Fifth  and  Cherry  sts. 
CHARLES  MEVES,  9  North  Eighth  street. 

WM.  ROSE  &  BROS.,  Market  st.,  ab.  Bridge  water,  W.  Phila. 
JONES  YERKES,  (and  Packing  Levers,)  105  South  Second. 

GEO.  B.  BAINS,  302  Market  st,  and  6  N.  Fourth,  ab.  Market 
DUNN  &  CO.,  Masonic  Temple,  721  Chestnut  street. 
THOMAS  W.  MATTSON,  402  Market  street,  above  Fonrth. 
J.  M.  MIGEOD,  27  8.  8th  St.,  (2d  story,)  entrance  on  Lodge  Al. 
WM.  R.  SCOTT,  119  North  Front  street 
And  many  others. 

LAWRENCE  M.  POTTS,  (Iron,)  9  St.  James  street 


HORN  &  ELLIS,  307  Race  street. 

B.  C.  EVERETT,  (Everett's  Premium  Patent  Graduating  Pres- 
sure Truss,  &c.,  see  page  417,)  14  North  Ninth  street. 

Dr.  M.  McCLENACHAN,  (also  Spinal  Apparatus,  Supporters, 
&c.,  by  Mrs.  McClenachan,)  50  North  Seventh  street. 

(See  Cedarware  and  Tinware.) 


EDW'D  BORMAN,  (Drawn  Metallic,  for  Philosophical  Instru- 
ments, &c.,)  523  Cherry. 
MORRIS,  TASKER  &  CO.,  (Wrought  Iron,)  3d,  below  Walnut. 

HARVEY  &  FORD,  (see  p.  393,)  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  422  Library 
THEODORE  KAKXEGIESER  (also  Metal,)  111  South  Eighth 
THOMAS  SHAW,  New  st,  cor.  Front 

WM.  G.  BAMBREY,  223  Crown  st.,  above  Race. 
BARMAN  BAUGH,  125  Elfreth's  Alley,  bet.  Arch  and  Race. 


502 


PHILADELPHIA    AND    ITS   MANUFACTURES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Turning,  Wood.-Con- 

tinued. 


Turn-Tables. 
Twines  and  Lines. 
Type  Founding. 
Type  for  Blind. 
Type  Metal. 
Ultramarine. 

Umbrellas&Parasols. 

(See  page  389) 


Umbrella  &   Parasol 
Furniture. 


Umbrella-makers' 
Tools. 

Umbrella  &  Parasol 
Sticks. 

Upholstery. 

(See  page  275.) 


Varnishes. 
Vats.  Tanks.  Ac- 
Velocipedes,  Peram- 
bulators, &c. 


Veneers   and   Fancy 
Woods. 

Veneers,  Embossed. 

Venetian  Blinds. 

(See  p.  275.) 


JOHN  CUNDEY,  732  North  Fourth  at.,  and  411  Brown. 
JOHN  JACKSON  &  CO.,  1089  and  1091  Germantowu  Road. 
GEO.  H.  KOECHLEIN,  526  North  Front  at.,  above  Noble. 
JOSEPH  RUE,  815  Parriah  street  below  Ninth. 
JOHN  LOUIS  &  SON,  504  Vine  street. 

WM.  SELLERS  &  CO.,  (see  page  313,)  16th  and  Hamilton. 
See  Rope,  page  373.) 
[See  page  172.) 

J.  E.  CARPENTER,  (Pin  Type,)  862  North  Fourth. 
H.  W.  HOOK,  (see  page  171,)  Broad  and  Pleasant  street. 
[See  Chemicals,  page  209.) 

WM.  A.  DROWN  &  CO.,  (see  page  391,)  246  Market  street. 
JOSEPH  FUSSELL,  2  N.  Fourth,  northwest  corner  Market. 
SIMON  HEITER,  (see  page  392,)  S.  W.  corner  3d  and  Market. 
M.  HINCKLEY,  905  Vine  st.,  above  Ninth. 
JOSEPH  I.  MATTHIAS,  555  North  Second,  above  Noble. 
BENEDICT  MILLER,  158  North  Sixth  st.,  near  Race. 
W.  H.  RICHARDSON,  (seepage  392,)  418  Market  street. 
SLEEPER  &  FENNER,  (see  page  391,)  336  Market  street. 
SHARON  SLEEPER,  1002  Market  st.,  above  Tenth. 
WM.  S.  TOLAND,  413  Coates,  below  Fifth. 
WRIGHT,  BROTHERS  &  CO.,  (see  page  391,)  324  Market. 
And  many  others. 

SAMUEL  FISHER,  (Pearl,)  1509  Linden  st.,  above  Chestnut. 
HARVEY  &  FORD,  Goldsmiths'  Hall,  Library  st.,  (see  p.  393.) 
THEODORE  KANNEGIESER,  111  South  Eighth. 
THOMAS  SHAW,  New  st.,  cor.  Front. 

J.  T.  VANKIRK,  Agent,  Frankford,  (Metallic  Mountings ;  also, 
Buggy  Umbrella  Handles  and  Mountings  complete.) 

WM.  WEHRFRITZ,  242  North  Fourth  street. 


BORIE  &  MACKIE,  Frankford,  (Carved  in  Imitation  of  French, 
Laurel,  Hickory,  &c.) 



H.  B.  BLANCHARD  i  CO.,  727  Chestnut  street. 
FISHER  &  BROTHER,  Vine,  corner  Fourth. 
ALFRED  SMITH,  408  Spruce  street. 
J.  W.  WINTER,  28  South  Fifth  street. 
And  many  others. 

(See  page  219.) 

GEO.  J.  BURKHARDT  &  CO.,  (see  p.  419")  Broad  &  Buttonwood. 

ASKAM  &  SON,  131  Dock  st.,  below  Second. 

WM.  QUINN,  416  Library  street,  (Spring  and  Lever  Operating 

Four-wheel,  for  ladies,  gentlemen,  invalids,  and  juveniles.) 
CHARLES  S.  SWQPE,  753  South  Third  street. 
T.  W.  &  J.  A.  YOST,  214  Dock  st.  and  Franklin  Av.,  cor.  3d. 


ALEX'R  BECRAFT,  rear  of  426  Walnut  st. 
(See  MAHOGANY.) 


ISRAEL  AMIES,  (Patentee,)  25  and  27  Minor,  corner  Sixth. 


A.  BRITTON  &  CO.,  44  North  Second  street. 
C.  W.  CLARK,  139  South  Second  st.,  above  Walnut  street 
I R.  W.  KENSIL,  939  Race  street. 
|B.  J.  WILLIAMS,  16  North  Sixth  street. 


ALPHABETICAL    LIST    OF    ARTICLES. 


503 


MANUFACTURERS. 


Venetian  Blind  Pul- 
leys. 

Verandahs  Tents,  &c. 


Ventilators. 
Ventilating  Chairs. 
Vices. 

Vinegar  and  Cider. 

(See  p.  270.) 

Violins    &  Violon- 
cellos. (See  Musical  In- 
struments, page  408.) 

Wagons,  &c. 
"Wagon  Boxes. 
Washing  Machines. 
Watches. 
Watch  Cases. 
Watch  Case  Springs. 
Waters,  Saratoga. 
Watch  Clocks,  &c. 
Watch  Springs. 

Guards. 

Watchmakers'  Tools. 
Water  Colors. 
Coolers. 

Wax,  Shoemakers'. 

Wax  Candles. 
Flowers. 

Wax  Taper  Holders. 
Weather  Vanes. 
Weaving. 

Webbing, 

(See  Dry  Goods,  p.  256.) 


Whalebone  &  Rattan 


JOHN  CUNDEY,  732  N.  Fourth,  and  411  Brown. 


JOSEPH  H.  FOSTER,  443  North  Third,  above  Willow. 
GEORGE  W.  FOX,  6  Hart's  Building,  6th,  above  Chestnut. 

ARNOLD  &  WILSON,  1010  Chestnut  street. 

J.  KAHNWEILER  &  BRO.,  (Patent,)  Third,  above  Arch. 

M.  MANSURE,  Willing,  near  Arch,  between  22d  and  23d. 

EMIL  MATTHIEU,  120  and  124  Lombard,  below  Second. 
JAS.  G.  PEALE,  (Cider  &  White  Wine,)  N.  E.  cor.  3d  &  Noble. 

JOHN  ALBERT,  303  Green  street. 

JOSEPH  NEFF,  (Premium  American,)  110  North  Fourth  street. 

JOSEPH  WINNER,  148  North  Eighth  street. 

(See  page  394.) 

SAVERY  &  CO.,  Front  street,  below  Reed. 

DAVID  LANDRETH  &  SON,  21  and  23  South  Sixth  street. 

(See  Chronometers.) 

(See  page  345.) 

CHARLES  FARCIOT,  (also  Medallions,)  404  Library. 

J.  &  S.  S.  LIPPINCOTT,  (in  Bottles,)  916  Filbert  street. 

H.  HOCHSTRASSER,  118  South  Tenth,  corner  George. 

CHARLES  PRENOT,  (also  Clock,)  411  Merchant  street. 

JOSEPH  FRITZ,  (French  Leather,  Fob  Chains,)  1313  N.  4th. 

CHARLES  FARCIOT,  Evans'  Building,  404  Library  street. 

G.  W.  OSBORNE  &  CO.,  (see  page  209,)  104  North  Sixth  st. 

JOHN  AMBLER,  Jr.,  (Improved  Stone  Jars,)  17  Spring  Garden. 

W.  GILBERT,  No.  7  South  Seventh  street. 

GEO.  W.  NICKELS,  (and  XL-all  Refrigerators,)  606  Cherry  st. 

C.  MOUSLEY,  (also  Channel  Wax  and  Heel  Balls,  and  Colors,) 
1551  Germantown  Road,  below  Oxford. 

F.  SNYDER,  435  Franklin  Avenue,  below  Fifth. 

Mrs.  A.  M.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  (also  Fruit,  and  Material  for 
Flowers,  see  page  414,)  48  North  Ninth  street. 

WILER  &  MOSS,  (see  page  191,)  Fifth,  below  Walnut. 

A.  C.  BROWN,  (Gilt,)  northeast  corner  Eighth  and  Buttonwood. 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  232.) 

JOHN  DUDLEY,  (Girth,  Roller,  Boot,  Shoe,  Trunk  and  Corded 
Rein,  &c.,)  207  Quarry,  above  Arch,  between  2d  and  3d. 

JOS.     SPITZ,  (Rein,  Girth,  Boot  and  Trunk,  &c.)  928  N.  3d  st., 

W.  H.  HORSTMANN  &  SONS.  Fifth  and  Cherry. 

AMASA  STONE,  (Chair  and  Sofa,)  207  Quarry,  above  Arch,  bet. 
Second  and  Third. 

PHILADELPHIA  WEBBING  COMPANY,  9  Bank  street. 

GEORGE  W.  CARR  &  CO.,  124  and  126  Willow  street. 
(See  page  393.) 


504 


PHILADELPHIA   AND   ITS   MANUFACTURES. 


MANUFACTURERS. 


"Wheels,    Ox  &  Tim- 
ber. 

"Wheelbarrows. 
"Whips  and  Canes. 

"Whip     and    Cane 
Mountings. 

"Whiting  and  Chalk. 
White  Lead. 
Wigs,  Toupees,  &c. 


Willow-ware,    Bas- 
kets, &c. 

(See  page  400.) 


"Windlasses. 
Window  Shades, 

Wire-work. 

(See  page  338.) 


Wire,  Galvanized. 

Philosophical. 

Wood  Manufactures. 

Wooden-ware. 

(See  p.  406.) 

Woolen  Goods. 
1  Woolen  Machinery. 
Work  Boxes. 
Yardsticks. 
Yarns. 
Yeast  Powders. 

Yellow  Metal. 
Zinc  Manufactures. 
Zinc  Paints. 


SIMONS,  COLEMAN  &  CO.,  1109  North  Front  street. 

D.  G.  WILSON,  J.  CHILDS  &  CO.,  St.  John  and  Buttonwood. 

(See  Wagons,  &c.,  page  394.) 

CHARLES  P.  CALDWELL,  (see  page  378,)  4  North  Fourth. 
PEAESON  &  SALLADA,  20  North  Sixth. 

(See  Umbrella  Furniture.) 


CHARLES  HASSE,  Cadwalader,  above  Columbia  street. 
(See  Paints,  page  215.) 

RICHARD  DOLLARD,  513  Chestnut,  opposite  State  House. 
GEORGE  THURGALAND,  29  South  Sixth,  above  Chestnut. 
And  many  others, 

II.  COULTER,  (also  Importer  of  Fancy  Baskets,;  17  N.  Third, 

corner  Church  Alley. 
JOHN  STINGER,  (see  page  400,)  511  Dickerson  st.,  below  Reed, 

Southwark. 

CHIPMAN  &  WHITE,  11  South  Front  street. 
ROWE  &  EUSTON,  (and  Cedar-ware,)  157  and  159  N.  Third  st. 

(See  Capstans,  &c.) 

M.  ROBINSON  &  CO.,  (Buff  Transparent,  &c.,)  19  N.  Second  st. 
W.  EARLE  SMITH,  25  North  Sixth  street. 

BAYLISS  &  DARBY,  (see  page  338,)  226  Arch  street. 
JAMES  P.  FENNELL,  36  North  Sixth  st.,  corner  Farmer. 
SELLERS  BROTHERS,  (see  page  338,)  18  North  Sixth  street. 
WATSON,  COX  &  CO.,  (see  page  338,)  46  North  Front. 
And  many  others. 

MARSHALL,   GRIFFIN  &  CO.,  (see  page  298,)  1142  N.  Front. 
M.  BIRD,  (also  Bonnet,)  227  Franklin  Avenue. 
(See  page  395.) 

C.  DREBY,  414  North  Second,  above  Callowhill 
J.  LOUIS  &  SON,  604  Vine  street,  above  Fifth. 
W.  J.  WALKER,  819  Spruce  st.,  above  Eighth, 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  237.) 


ALFRED  JENKS  &  SON,  Bridesburg,  (see  p.  299  &  Appendix.) 

(See  Dressing  Cases  and  Mahogany  Cases.) 

(See  Wooden-ware.) 

(See  Dry  Goods,  page  232.) 

E.  W.  P.  TAUNTON,  (Azumea,  the  Premium  Baking  Powder, 
14  Decatnr  street. 


RICHARD  WEST,  1247  Shackamaxon  street. 
(See  TIN,  ZINC,  and  SHEET-IRON  WARE,  page  417 
(See  PAINTS,  page  217  ;  also  page  458.) 


THE   END. 


RELIABLE  INSURANCE  COMPANIES 
OF   PHILADELPHIA. 


For  remarks,  with  regard  to  the  benefits  conferred  upon  the  industrial  in- 
terests of  the  city  by  the  Insurance  Companies,  seepage  127. 


The  oldest  Insurance  Company  in  the  city  is  the  PHILADELPHIA  C  ON- 
TRiBUTioxsHipybr  the  Insurance  of  Houses  from  the  loss  of  Fire.  It  was 
established  April,  1752,  and  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  its  first  Directors 
is  the  name  of  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN.  The  device  of  the  seal,  as  or- 
dered at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  was  the  familiar 
one  of  four  hands  united :  hence  the  Company  is  sometimes  known  as 
the  Hand-in-Hand. 

The  principles  of  this  Company  are  peculiar.  It  has  no  Capital 
Stock,  and  pays  no  dividends.  The  premium  is  neither  a  rate,  payable 
annually,  nor  a  gross  amount,  but  the  deposit  of  a  sum,  the  use  or 
interest  of  which  during  the  policy  belongs  to  the  Company.  The 
risks  are  limited  to  Brick  or  Stone  Buildings  in  the  city,  or  its  neigh- 
borhood. The  deposit  usually  required  on  substantial  Dwelling 
Houses  is  2  or  2£  per  cent. ;  and  on  Warehouses  or  Stores  3  to  3£ 
per  cent.  The  insured  are  required  to  sign  the  Deed  of  Settlement, 
and  thus  become  members  of  the  Company.  The  aggregate  Insurances 
of  this  Company  exceed  $8,000,000 ;  and  the  funds  to  indemnify  any 
loss,  amount  to  more  than  $700,000.  Average  losses  for  twenty  years 
$10,000  per  annum — ranging  from  $1,569,  in  one  year,  to  $86,153,  in 
another.  Present  officers : 

TREASURER  AND  SECRETARY: 

JAMES  S.  SMITH. 

DIRECTORS: 

Joshua  Longstreth,  I.  Pemberton  Hutchinson, 

Horace  Binney,  Joseph  Swift, 

William  H.  Hart,  J.  Williams, 

William  Smith,  Richard  P.  Lardner, 

Lewis  Wain,  J.  Rodman  Paul, 

Charles  Willing,  William  Harman. 


THE  FRANKLIN   FIRE   INSURANCE   COMPANY 

OF  PHILADELPHIA, 

JSTos.  435  &  437  CHESTNUT  STBEET,  NEAR  FIFTH. 


This  Company  was  established  in  1829.  Since  its  incorporation  it 
has  paid  over  FOUR  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLARS  LOSSES  BY  FIRE — a  fact  which 
affords  evidence  of  the  advantages  of  Insurance  as  well  as  the  ability 
and  the  disposition  of  the  Company  to  meet  with  promptness  all  its 
liabilities. 

The  losses  paid  during  the  year  1858,  amounted  to  over  $106,000. 

The  aggregate  business  of  this  Company  is  very  large,  and  it  is 
enabled  to  pay  enormous  losses  out  of  its  annual  receipts  from  pre- 
miums alone. 

The  assets  on  January  1st,  1859,  as  published  agreeably  to  an  Act 
of  Assembly,  were  as  follows  : 

First  Mortgages,  amply  secured,       -        ...  $1,731.669  89 

Eeal  Estate,  (present value  $103,313  61)  cost-        -  77,764  71 

Temporary  Loans,  on  ample  collateral  security,       ^n  i  88,530  29 

Stocks  (present  value  $86,667  72)  cost    -        -      .  nj  ,  71,547  97 

Notes  and  Bills  receivable,      »j  v.Hor    ...  4,408  40 

Cash,        -,,,>>•,-        -         -,,H   -n». i*v.  ,mi-jil  «J  I  42,00736 


$2,015,928  62 

THIS   COMPANY  MAKES  PERPETUAL   OR  LIMITED   INSURANCES 

ON  EVERY  DESCRIPTION  OF  PROPERTY,  IN  TOWN 

AND  COUNTRY,  AT  RATES  AS  LOW  AS  ARE 

CONSISTENT  WITH  SECURITY. 

PRESIDENT  : 

CHARLES   N.  BANCKER. 

VICE-PRESIDENT  : 

EDWARD  C.  DALE. 

DIRECTORS : 

Charles  N.  Bancker,  Mordecai  D.  Lewis, 

Tobias  Wagner,  David  S.  Brown, 

Samuel  Grant,  Isaac  Lea, 

Jacob  R.  Smith,  Edward  C.  Dale, 

George  W.  Richards,  George  Fales. 

WILLIAM  A.  STEEL,  Secretary  pro  tern. 


pelamare  jUntual  Safety  Insurance 

COMPANY, 


OF 


I  TJ  .A.  3D  E 


I  .A.  , 


WAS    INCOBPOKATED    BY    THE    LEGISLATTTBE    OF    PENNSYLVANIA 

IN      1835. 
ITS    CHARTER    IS    PERPETUAL. 

Makes  Insurance  against  Loss  by  the  Perils  of  the  Seas  and 

by  River  and  Inland  Navigation.    Also,  against  Loss 

by  Fire  on  Buildings  and  their  Contents. 


$103,090 
89,000 
21,000 
30,000 
50,000 
20,000 
15,000 

6,000 
5.000 
1,200 
1,000 

250 
200 


ASSETS     OF    THE    COMPANY, 

November   1,   1858. 
Philadelphia  City  Six  per  cent.  Loan,  -        -        -        -        - 

Pennsylvania  State  Five  per  cent.  Loan,      - 

Do.          do.      Six        do.        do.  -        -        -        -        - 

United  States  Treasury  4}£  per  cent.  Notes,          -        ... 
Pennsylvania  Rail  Ro'ad  2d  Mortgage  6  per  cent.  Bonds,     - 
North  Pennsylvania  Rail  Road  Mortgage  Six  per  cent.  Bonds    - 
300  Shares  Stock  Germantown  Gas  Company,  Interest  and  Prin- 
cipal guaranteed  by  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
100      ,,      Pennsylvania  Rail  Road  Company,  - 

100      „      North  Pennsylvania  ,,  „  .        -        - 

80      ,,      Philadelphia  Ice  Boat  and  Steam  Tug  Company, 
2      „      Philadelphia    and     Savannah     Steam     Navigation 
Company,          ........ 

5      „      Philadelphia  and  Havre  de  Grace  Steam  Tow-boat 
Company.         -------- 

2      ,,      Philadelphia  Exchange  Company,    -      ."".•»>.• 


Cost,  $318,297. 


Market  Value, 


PAR  $340,700 

Bonds  and  Mortgages,  .......... 

Real  Estate,  Office  Building,          --------- 

Bills  Receivable,  for  Insurances  made,         ------- 

Balances  due  at  Agencies — Premiums  on  Marine  Policies  recently  issued 
— and  other  debts  due  the  Company,        -        -        -  ""  — '- -  -  <C^- •-*' a  *•>- 

Scrip  and  Stock  of  sundry  Insurance  Companies, 

Cash  on  deposit  in  Banks,  - ... 


$105,144  00 
83,215  00 
21,210  00 
30,112  50 
45,375  00 
12,000  00 

14,925  00 

4,337  50 

850  00 

1,200  00 

200  00 

500  00 
130  00 

$319,199  00 

10,000  00 

61,363  35 

201,666  36 

61,288  14 

3,220  00 

42,067  85 

$698,804  70 


WILLIAM  MABTTK, 
EDMUITD  A.  SOUDBR, 
THEOPHILOT  PAULDUCO, 
JOHS  R.  PESROSK, 
JOHX  C.  DAVIS, 
JAMES  TRAQUAIR, 
WILLIAM  EYRE,  JR. 
JAMES  C.  HAND, 
WILLIAM  C.  LUDWIO, 
JOSEPH  H.  SEAL, 


DIHECTOE 

DR.  R.  M.  HUSTON, 
GEORGE  G.  LEIPER, 
HurtH  CRAIG, 
CHARLES  KELLY, 
SAMUEL  E.  STOKES, 
J.  F.  PEJOSTOjr, 
HJBKRT  SLOAIT, 
EDWARD  DARLTSGTO*. 
H.  JONES  BROOKE, 


S. 

SPBUCER  M'lLVAnrB, 
THOMAS  C.  HAXD, 
ROBERT  BURTON, 
JACOB  P.  JOSES, 
JAMES  B.  M'FARLAXD, 
JOSHUA  P.  EYRE, 
JOHK  B.  SEMPLE,  Pittsburff, 
D.  T.  MORI; AX,  „ 

J.  T.  LOOA.V,  „ 


"WILLIAM   MABTIN,   President. 
THOMAS   C.  HAND,  Vice-President. 


HENRY   LYLBURN,  Secretary. 


No.    433    CHESTNUT    STREET, 

WAS    CHARTERED  IN  1848. 

/iKAirj'wrwai  "?o  5<                 .     UT 
Its  Capital  Stock  is, $210,000 

And  its  Surplus,    -  -     .l-      *      -;        77,000 


PRESIDENT.  SECRETARY. 

ROBERT    P.    KING.  F.    BLACKBURNE. 


THIS  COMPANY  MAKES 

INSURANCE  FROM  LOSS  BY  FIRE, 
ON  PROPERTY  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION, 

IN  TOWN  OR  COUNTRY,  INCLUDING 

Public  Buildings,  Dwellings,  Stores,  Warehouses,  Factories  and  Manufac- 
tories, Workshops,  Vessels,  &c. 

Also,  Merchandise  of  all  kinds,  Stocks  of  Goods,  Stocks  of  Country  Stores, 

Goods  on  Storage  or  in  Bond,  Stocks  and  Tools  of  Artificers  and 

Mechanics,  Furniture,  Jewelry,  Fixtures,  &c.,  &c. 

At  moderate  rates   of  Premium,  and  for  any  period  of  time.     It  also  Insures 


Which  will   protect  the  interest  of  the  Mortgagee  in  all  cases,  no  matter  what 
changes  may  take  place  either  in  ownership  or  occupation. 

All  that  is  required  by  the  Company  is  a  truthful  statement  and  description  at 
the  time  of  the  Insurance ;  and  any  change  that  may  afterward  take  place,  does 
not  affect  the  validity  of  a  Policy  to  a  Mortgagee. 

This  Company  offers  in  its  past  career  an  ample  guarantee  for  the  prompt  settle- 
ment of  all  its  losses.  It  has  established  the  following  Agencies  : 

PITTSBURGH   J.   Q.   COFFIN. 
LOUISVILLE,   Ky.,    BULLOCK    &   PEARCE. 
CHICAGO,   111.,   HALL   &  ROUNDS. 


(Bqmtabk 


n$urmtu   Cmnganj, 


Office,  No.  329  Walnut  St.,  Philadelphia, 

WAS    CHARTERED    BY  THE    STATE    OF   PENNSYLVANIA, 
MARCH,  28-ra,  1848. 

ITS    CHARTER    IS    PERPETUAL. 

This  Company  insures  against  loss  or  damage  by  Fire  on  Buildings, 
Furniture,  and  Merchandise  generally,  on  favorable  terms,  and  con- 
fines its  business  to  Fire  Insurance  exclusively. 


STATEMENT  OF  ASSETS,  JANUARY  1,  1859. 

PAR  VALUE. 
First  Bonds  and  Mortgages  of  Improved  City 

Property,  worth  double  the  amount,  -    -    -    

Improved  Ground  Rents, 

Loans  of  City  of  Philadelphia, 

"  "      Pittsburg,  Municipal,    -    - 

Bonds  of  City  of  Allegheny,          " 

"      of  Allegheny  County, 

"      of  Camden  and  Amboy  R.  R.  Company, 

"      of  North  Pennsylvania  R.  R.  Company, 
30  Shares  Union  Bank  of  Tennessee,    -    -    - 

Insurance  Stock,  

Bills  Receivable,  first-class  paper,    -    -    -    - 

Interest  due,  and  other  items, 

Loans  on  Collaterals -    - 

Cash  in  Bank  and  on  hand,     ------ 


$21,000  00 
13,000  00 
7,000  00 
1,000  00 
1,000  00 
3,000  00 
3,000  00 


Henry  L.  Elder, 
William  M.  Baird, 
Peter  Cullen, 
William  G.  Alexander, 
William  Craig, 
William  H.  Stewart. 


TRUSTEES. 

Stillwell  S.  Bishop, 
William  P.  Cresson, 
Thomas  E.  Potter, 
Francis  West,  M.D. 
Abraham  Si.  Wolf, 
0.  Conrad, 


MARKET  VALUE. 

$19,462  50 
4,112  32 
21,840  00 
12,480  00 
6,650  00 
600  00 
840  00 
2..100  00 
3,100  00 
837  50 
51,816  81 
1,819  46 
37,947  50 
6,506  26 

$170,112  35 


Henry  M.  Phillips, 
Lyon  J.  Levy, 
James  M.  Smith, 
Benjamin  W.  Richards, 
Henry  Serrill. 


F.  W.  RAWLE,  Secretary. 

G.  W.  WHARTOV,  Surveyor. 


HENRY  L.  ELDER,  President. 
WM.  M.  BAIRD,  Vice-President. 


THE  COMMONWEALTH  INSURANCE  'COMPANY 
OF  THE  STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

This  Company  organized  and  commenced  business  in  the  early  part 
of  the  year  1854,  and  since  that  time  has  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
the  patronage  of  the  business  community.  The  Capital  of  the  Com- 
pany is 

$350,000, 

Of  which  sum  Two  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  has  been  paid  in,  and 
invested  in  the  most  undoubted  securities. 

This  sum  is  not  represented  to  the  amount  of  a  single  dollar  by 
the  note  of  any  Stockholder;  but  has  been  paid  in  CASH. 

The  Board  of  Directors  have  resolved  to  call  in  the  remaining 
$50,000  of  the  Capital  Stock  at  an  early  day. 

The  Assets  of  this  Company,  on  the  1st  February,  1859,  were  as 
follows : 

MARKET  VALUE.      PAR  VALUE. 

Bonds  and  Mortgages,          ....  $119,300  00  $119,300  00 

Stock  of  all  kinds  owned  by  the  Company,  -  12,375  00-     20,000  00 

State  and  City  Loans, 30,060  00  33,350  00 

Temporary  Loans   amply   secured  by   Col- 
laterals,    -     .  ,n,.;           -.  -'       -        -        -  29,64424  29,64423 
Cash  in  Tradesman's  Bank,  -        ...  25,320  00  25,320  00 
"       hands  of  Agents,    ....  1,784  83  1,784  83 
Instalments  on  Stock  not  yet  due,        -        -  50,000  00  50,000  00 


$268,484  06  $279,399  OG 


OFFICERS: 
DAVID  JAYNE,  M.D.,  President. 
JOHN  M.  WHITALL,   Vice-President. 
SAMUEL  S.  MOON,  Secretary. 

DIRECTORS: 

David  Jayne,  M.D.  Thos.  S.  Stewart, 

John  M.  Whitall,  John  M.  Butler, 

Edw'd  C.  Knight,  Thos.  W.  Evans, 

John  K.  Walker,  Henry  Lewis,  Jr. 

Isaac  Jeanes,  John  Allen. 


FIRE  AND  MARINE  INSURANCE  COMPANY, 

OFFICE  :*415  WALNUT  STREET. 

HOK.  JOEL-JONES,  PRES'T.  ALFRED  S.  GILLETT,  VICE-PRES'T. 

J.  B.  ALVORD,  SEC'V. 


EXTRACT     FROM 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  CONDITION 


fin  anb  Slarine  $ra«e 


FOR  THE  YEAR    ENDING 
December     31st,      1858. 


,,      $300,000. 


CAPITAL  STOCK  &  INVESTMENTS,  $284,789.73. 


Ij  I  .A.  B 1 3L.  I X I E  S  . 

LOSSES    ALL    PAID. 

NO    LOSSES    UNADJUSTED. 

NO    LOSSES    REPOKTED. 

HAVE    BORROWED    NO    MONEY. 

OWE    NO    BANK    OR    OTHER    PARTY. 


REFERENCES. 

Hon.  GEO.  W.  WOODWARD,  and  Hon.  W.  H.  LOWRIE,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn'a. 
Hon.  JOEL  JOSES.  WM.  M.  SWAIN,  Esq.,  of  the  "Public  Ledger,"  Philadelphia.  A.  S. 
ABELL,  Esq.,  of  the  "Baltimore  Sun."  CHARLES  I.  DUPONT,  Esq.,  of  Delaware.  ZENAS 
BAESCM,  Esq.,  of  Baltimore.  PETER  S.  HOE,  Esq.,  New  York.  THOMAS  CRAVEN,  Esq., 
Agent  Ridgway  Estate,  Philadelphia.  B.  B.  COMEOTS,  Esq.,  Cashier  Philad'a  Bank.  JOH.V 
ASSPACH,  Jr.,  JOHN  W.  CLAGHORN,  FRANCIS  PETERS,  JERRY  WALKER,  and  H.  X.  BCR- 
ROPOHS,  Esqs.,  of  Philadelphia. 


<$nterjrist 

OF    PHILADELPHIA. 


This  Company  commenced  business  on  the  First  of  January,  1859, 
with  a  Cash  Capital  of  ONE  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  which  has 
since  been  increased,  by  a  Resolution  of  the  Stockholders,  to  Two 
HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS,  and  the  Subscription  Book  is  now  open 
for  the  increased  amount. 

The  business  of  the  Company  is  confined  to  Insurance  against  Loss 
or  Damage  by  Fire  on  Buildings,  Furniture,  and  Merchandise 
generally. 

The  Policies  of  this  Company  expressly  provide,  that  when  assigned 
as  collateral  security,  they  shall  not  be  AFFECTED  BY  ANY  ACT  of  the 
owner  of  the  property  insured.  Entire  security  is  thus  extended  to 
the  holders  of  GROUND  RENTS  and  MORTGAGES,  notwithstanding  recent 
decisions  of  the  Courts  of  Law. 

Ground  Rents,    Mortgages,   Mechanics'    Liens,    and 
other  Securities  on  Real  Estate, 

Will  also  be  specially  insured  if  desired. 

All  Investments  are  made  by  the  Directors  ;  and  the  By-laws  pro- 
vide, that  "  none  of  the  moneys  of  the  Company  shall,  under  any  cir- 
cumstances, be  invested  or  employed  in  the  purchase  or  discount  of,  or 
advance  upon,  promissory  notes  or  other  commercial  paper,  except  the 
Treasury  Notes  of  the  United  States." 


F.  Ratchford  Starr,  Mordecai  L.  Dawson, 

William  M'Kee,  George  H.  Stuart, 

Nalbro  Frazier,  John  H.  Brown, 

John  M.  Atwood,  B.  A.  Fahnestock, 

Benj.  T.  Tredick,  Andrew  D.  Cash, 

Henry  Wharton,  J.  Livingston  Erringer. 

F.  RATCHFORD  STARR,  President. 
CHARGES  W.  COXE,  Secretary. 

Temporary  Office.  —  152  South  Fourth  Street, 

Until  the  erection  of  the  Company's  Building  at  the  South-  West 
corner  of  Walnut  and  Fourth  Streets. 


In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  the  Insurance  interest  of  Philadelphia 
is  well  and  substantially  represented  by  the  following  Companies  : 

Mutual  Assurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1784. 

Insurance  Company  of  North  America  (Fire,  Marine  and  Inland;,  Or- 
ganized 1794. 

Insurance  Company  of  State  of  Pennsylvania  (Fire,  Marine  and  Inland), 
Organized  1794. 

Union  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Marine  &  Inland;,  Organized  1804. 
Phoenix  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Marine  &  Inland),  Organized  1804. 
American  Fire  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1810. 
Pennsylvania  Life  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  (Life  Ann.  &  Trust 
Co.;,  Organized  1812. 

Pennsylvania  Fire  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1825. 

American  Mutual  Insurance  Company   (Marine   and  Inland),  1825. 

County  Fire  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1833. 

Spring  Garden  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1835. 

Girard  Life  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  (Life  Ann.  and  Trust  Co.), 
Organized  1836. 

Columbia  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Fire,  Marine  and  Inland), 
Organized  1839. 

Reliance  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1844. 

Penn  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  (Life  and  Trust  Co.),  1847. 

Globe  Life  and  Trust  Company  (Life  and  Trust),  Organized  1848. 

American  Life  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  (Life  and  Trust),  1850. 

National  Safety  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  (Life  and  Trust),  1850. 

United  States  Life  Insurance  and  Trust  Company  (Life  and  Trust),  Or- 
ganized 1850. 

Fire  Association  (Fire  only),  Organized  1851. 

Exchange  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Fire,  Marine  and  Inland;,  Or- 
ganized, 1855. 

Consolidated  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1856. 

Fame  Mutual  Insurance  Company  (Fire  only),  Organized  1856. 


We  are  indebted  for  much  of  this  information  with  regard  to  the 
Insurance  Companies,  to  Mr.  A.  F.  SABINB,  whose  business  is  that  of 
effecting  Insurances  on  all  kinds  of  property,  for  Merchants  and  Ma- 
nufacturers, without  expense  to  them,  thus  relieving  parties  from  much 
care  and  trouble  in  the  selection  of  reliable  offices,  he  being  perfectly 
conversant  with  the  character  and  standing  of  the  various  Companies. 
Mr.  SABINE  has  the  care  of  the  Insurance  accounts  of  many  of  the 
principal  Mercantile  and  Manufacturing  firms  in  Philadelphia,  and  in 
the  Southern  and  Western  cities,  and  has  so  conducted  business  as  to 
be  entitled  to  the  confidence  of  all  such  as  may  require  his  services. 

His  address  is  as  follows :  A.  F.  SABINE,  Insurance  Broker, 

317  Walnut  Street. 


ADDENDA. 


THE  PENNSYLVANIA  CENTRAL  RAILROAD  CO. 

We  have  already  noticed  this  Company  at  considerable  length.  On  page  75 
we  gave  a  Table  of  the  Tonnage  for  1857.  On  page  90,  we  showed  the  saving  in 
distance  for  Traveling,  from  the  West  to  the  East,  by  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad, 
compared  with  the  New  York  Railroads,  and  demonstrated  that  the  shortest  route 
from  New  York  to  the  West  is  via  Philadelphia  and  Pittsburgh.  On  pages  91  and 
92,  we  gave  Tables  showing  the  saving  in  Freight  by  shipping  via  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  to  Philadelphia,  compared  with  the  New  York  and  Erie,  and 
Boston  and  Worcester  Railroads.  On  pages  117  and  118,  we  noticed  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Company;  and  on  page  119,  mentioned  the  present  Executive  Officers, 
to  which  it  may  be  proper  to  add  the  names  of  the  present  Directors,  viz. : 

By   the    Stockholders. 

J.  EDGAR  THOMSON,  WM.  K.  THOMPSON,      THOMAS  MELLON,      G.  D.  ROSENGARTBK. 

WASHINGTON  BUTCHER,      JOSJAH  BACON,  JOHN  HULME,  WISTAR  MORBIS. 

G.  W.  CASS.  SAMDEL  MEGAROEE. 

By   the   City  of  Philadelphia. 
JOSEPH  M.  THOMAS,  B.  T.  CURTIS,  H.  C.  WOOD. 

By  the  Board. 
WILLIAM  B.  FOSTER,  JR. 

The  following  additional  particulars,  which  we  condense  from  the  Circular  of 
the  Company,  are  of  interest  to  Merchants. 

The  Capacity  of  this  Road  is  now  equal  to  any  in  the  Country. 

THREE  THROUGH 

PASSENGER      TRAINS 

BETWEEN     PITTSBURGH     AND    PHILADELPHIA, 

Connect  direct  in  the  Union  Depot,  at  Pittsburgh,  with  Through  Trains  from  all  Western 
Cities  for  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston,  Baltimore  and  Washington  City;  thus  furnish- 
ing facilities  for  the  transportation  of  Passengers  unsurpassed,  for  speed  and  comfort,  hy 
any  other  route. 

Express  and  Fast  Lines  run  through  to  Philadelphia  without  change  of  Cars  or  Con- 
ductors. 

Smoking  Cars  are  attached  to  each  train:  Woodruffs  Sleeping  Cars  to  Express  and  Fast 
Trains.  The  Express  runs  Daily.  Mail  and  Fast  Line  Sundays  excepted.  Three 
Daily  Trains  connect  direct  for  New  York.  Express  and  Fast  Line  connect  for  Baltimore 
and  Washington. 

Six  Daily  Trains  between  Philadelphia  and  New  York  :  Two  Daily  Trains  between  New 
York  and  Boston.  Through  Tickets  (all  Rail)  are  good  on  either  of  the  above  Trains. 


PENNSYLVANIA    CENTRAL    RAILROAD. 

BOAT  TICKETS  to  Boston  are  good  via  Norwich,  Fall  River  or  Stonington  Lines. 

TICKETS  EASTWARD  may  be  obtained  at  any  of  the  important  Railroad  Offices  in  the 
West;  also,  on  board  of  any  of  the  regular  Line  of  Steamers  on  the  Mississippi  or  Ohio 
Rivers  ;  and  TICKETS  WESTWARD  at  the  Offices  of  the  Company  in  Boston,  New  York, 
Baltimore,  or  Philadelphia.. 

This  Company  also  maintains  an  Emigrant  accommodation  line  by  which  parties  emi- 
grating westward  enjoy  a  cheap  and  comfortable  mode  of  conveyance. 

£i~FARE    always    as    LOW   as   by    ANY   OTHER    ROUTE. -=£» 

Ask   for   Tickets   by  Pittsburgh. 

The  completion  of  the  Western  connections  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail  Road  to  Chicago 
makes  this  the 

DIRECT  LINE  BETWEEN  THE  EAST  &  THE  GREAT  NORTH-WEST, 

The  connecting  of  tracks  by  the  Rail  Road  Bridge  at  Pittsburgh,  avoiding  all  drayage  or 
ferriage  of  Freight,  together  with  the  saving  of  time,  are  advantages  readily  appreciated  by 
Shippers  of  Freight,  and  the  Traveling  Public. 

PARTIES  SHIPPING  EASTWARD  vrill  find  it  to  their  advantage  to  Ship  by  this 
Route. 

For  Freight  Contracts  or  Shipping  Directions,  apply  to  or  address  either  of  the  following 
Agents  of  the  Company : 

D.  A.  STEWABT,  Pittsburgh: 

DOYLE  &  Co.  Steubenyille,  O. ;  H.  S.  PIERCE  4  Co.  Zauesville,  0. ;  J.  J.  JOHNSTON,  Ripley,  O. ; 
R.  McNBELY,  Maysville,  Ky. ;  ORMSBY  4  CROPPER,  Portsmouth,  O. ;  PADDOCK  &  Co.,  Jef- 
fersonville,  Ind.  ;  H.  W.  BROWN  4  Co.,  Cincinnati,  0. ;  ATHEKN  4  HIBBERT,  Cincinnati,  O. ; 
R.  C.  MELDRUM,  Madison,  Ind. ;  WILLIAM  BINGHAM,  Louisville,  Ky. ;  P.  G.  O'RILEY  4  Co., 
Evansville,  Ind. ;  N.  W.  GRAHAM  k  Co.  Cairo,  111.  ;  R.  F.  SAWS,  St.  Lonis,  Mo. ;  JOHN  H. 
HARRIS,  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  HARRIS  4  HUNT,  Memphis,  Tenn. ;  CLARKE  4  Co.,  Chicago,  ILL  ; 
W.  H.  H.  KOONTZ,  Alton,  111. ;  MURPHY  4  WALLE,  Dubaque,  Iowa  ;  or  to  Freight  Agents  of 
Rail  Roads  at  different  points  in  the  West. 

The  Greatest  Facilities  offered  for  the  Protection  and  Speedy 
TRANSPORTATION  of  LIVE  STOCK, 

And  GOOD  ACCOMMODATIONS  with  usual  privileges  for  persons  traveling  in  charge  thereof. 
FREIGHTS      WESTWARD. 

By  this  Route  Freights  of  all  descriptions  can  be  forwarded  from  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
Boston,  or  Baltimore,  to  any  point  on  the  Rail  Roads  of  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Wisconsin,  Iowa,  or  Missouri,  by  Sail  Road  direct. 

The  Pennsylvania  Rail  Road  also  connects  at  Pittsburgh  with  Steamers,  by  which  Goods 
can  be  forwarded  to  any  port  on  the  Ohio,  Mnskingum,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Cumberland, 
Illinois,  Mississippi,  Wisconsin,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Arkansas,  and  Red  Rivers ;  and  at  Cleve- 
land, Sandusky  and  Chicago  with  Steamers  to  all  Ports  on  the  North- Western  Lakes. 

Merchant*  and  Shippers  entrusting  the  transportation  of  their  Freight  to  this  Company, 
can  rely  with  confidence  on  its  speedy  transit. 

THE  RATES  OF  FREIGHT  to  any  point  in  the  West  by  the  Pennsylvania  Rail  Bead  are 
at  all  times  as  favorable  as  are  charged  by  other  R.  R.  Companies. 

93~  Be  particular  to  mark  packages  "  VIA  PENNA.  R.  R.." 

Merchants  in  the  West  ordering  goods  from  the  East,  will  do  well  to  direct  them  to  be 
shipped  by  this  Route. 

Parties  attending  to  their  own  Shipments  from  the  East,  will  find  it  to  their  interest  to  call 
an  the  Agents  of  this  Company  at  the  following  places  before  shipping  ;  or  letters  addressed 
to  either  of  them  on  the  subject  of  freights,  will  meet  with  prompt  attention. 

E.  J.  SNEEDER,  Philadelphia. 

MAGRAW  4  KOONS,  80  North  Street,  Baltimore. 

LEECH  4  CO.,  No.  2  Astor  House,  or  No.  11  Wm.  St.,  N.  Y. 

LEECH  4  CO.,  No.  54  Kilby  Street,  Boston. 

H.  H.  HOUSTON,  Gen'l.  Freight  Aff't.,  Philadelphia. 
L.  L.  HOUPT,  Gen'l.  Ticket  Ag't.,  Philadelphia. 

THOS.  A.  SCOTT,  Gen'l.  Sup't.,  Altoona,  Pa. 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Santa  Barbara 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW. 


Series  9482 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A    000703209    7 


